
Book _ -IjzlcL^l 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/modernamericanpiOOgoul 



I 





THE MECCA OF PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTERS> 



CLUB HOUSE AND SHOOTING PAVILION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS RIFLE ASSOCIATION, 
WALNUT HILL, WOBUPN, MASS. 



MODERN AMERICAN 



PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



AX ACOOUXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PISTOLS AXD REVOLVERS IN AMEUICA 

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETIES MANUFACTURED; MANNER OF 

SHOOTING them; WORK ACCOMPLISHED WITH THESE ARMS; 

DEPARTMENTS OF PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING ; 

IMPRESSIONS FORMED BY STUDYING THESE 

arms; and RULES GOVERNING 

PISTOL AND REVOLVER 

COMPETITIONS. 



y^" 



BY 



A; c/'gOULD (''Ralph Greenwood.") 



JlllustvatrD, 



JYEJV REVISED EDITION. 



35 0STON: 
1 ] R A ] ) L E E W 1 1 1 D D E N 

1894. 



^v- 



%C 2Jl ^^ 



Copyright, 18SS, 
By a. C. GOULD & CO. 



Copyright, 
189i, 
By BRADLEE WHIDDEX, 






ALL UiailTS liESEUVED. 



PREFACE. 



The first edition of " Modern iVnierican Pistols and 
Revolvers " was published in 1888. At that time there 
was but little general knowledge of the capabilities of 
the pistol or the revolver. A general impression pre- 
vailed that there was little or no accuracy in the arms, 
or if they were accurate, those manipulating them skill- 
fully were specially gifted. The publication of the first 
edition showed the great accuracy and reliabilit}^ of 
certain arms, and made it apparent that to become skillful 
in manipulating them was only a matter of practice. 
This stimalated many devotees of shooting to attempt to 
acquire a proficiency. As a result, at the time of writing 
there are expert pistol and revolver shots in various 
sections of the country ; and as the shooting world has no 
national confines, this statement may be applied to many 
parts of the world. 

The expert amateur pistol and revolver shots of to-day 
are, in many instances, doing work superior to that of 
professionals a few years ago. To some extent, this is 
due to improvements in arms and ammunition, but chiefly 
to the knowledge that the arms possess great accuracy, 
are safe to shoot, and that it is within the reach of any 



iv PREFACE. 

one with normal health and vision to become a fine 
marksman. 

Pistol and revolver shooting has grown rapidly in 
popularity as a sport throughout the world ; where there 
was one expert pistol shot a few years ago, there are now 
many. There have been numerous styles of arms created 
and modes of shooting developed, and it has seemed to 
be important that a record of the work accomplished 
since 1888 be collected, added to that before presented, 
and recorded in a permanent form. It is thought that 
the matter published in this volume will show the 
capabilities of pistols and revolvers, and the development 
of skill in shooting them. 

The objects of the author in presenting this second 
edition are as follows : To demonstrate the accuracy of 
modern American pistols, revolvers, and ammunition to 
date ; to record the best known work to the time of 
publication ; to point out the propriety of classifying 
the several departments in shooting with these arms ; 
to urge practical training among the national guard in 
America, where revolver shooting, which should be 
understood by all officers, members of the naval battal- 
ions, cavalry and artillery, has, until recently, been almost 
wholly neglected. 

A. C. G. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Chapter I. Development of American Pistols and Revolvers 1, 



Chapter II. American Single-Shot Pistols .... 

Chapter III. The Colt Revolver 

Chapter IV. American Revolvers. — Smith & Wesson's 
Productions 



Chapter V. Miscellaneous Revolvers. — Revolvers Classified 

Chapter VI. Test of Military Revolvers by the United States 
Ordnance Board 



5 
31 

51 

75 

81 

97 

107 

127 



Chapter VII. Target Revolvers 

Chapter VIII. Pocket Revolvers ...... 

Chapter IX. Ammunition for Pistols and Revolvers , 

Chapter X. Reloading Ammunition for Pistols and Revolvers 145 

Chapter XI. Revolver Shooting Record in America . . . 155 

Chapter XII. Some Performances with the Pistol . . . ITS 

Chapter XIII. Pistol and Revolver Shooting at Long Range. . 189 

Chapter XIV. Impressions Formed by luA^estigations . . 195 

Chapter XV. Rules for Pistol and Revolver Shooting . . . 204 



115oofes? b^ ^* C* ^oulD* 



MODKKx Amekicax Rifles. Royal 8vo, cloth, 

$2.00. 

Sport; ok, Fishixg axd Shootixg. Quarto. 
Five Sections. 850.00. 

Modern Abcericax Pistols axd Revolvers. 
Royal 8vo, cloth, $1.50. 



BRADLEE WHIDDEN, 

Publisher, 

8 Arch Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS 
AND REVOLVERS. 



CHAPTER I. 

DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

A PISTOL is a rifle of such size and shape that it can 
be aimed and fired with one hand. A revolver is a pistol 
with revolving barrels or a revolving cylinder. In modern 
revolvers the cylinder only revolves, this cylinder being 
supplied with chambers for cartridges. The term pistol 
is applied indiscriminately by many to both single-shot 
pistols and revolvers ; but since the shooting of these 
arms has become popular, and the skill in shooting them 
has developed to such a high degree, there is a recognized 
difference in the arms, and in the skill in manipulating 
them; therefore, to distinguish between them, they are 
specified respectively as the single-shot pistol and the 
revolver. 

The first supply of single-shot pistols found in the 
United States were of foreign manufacture, being almost 
wholly of the dueling pattern. Next came the manu- 
facture of home products, which for many years was 
confined to hand work. These weapons were, necessarily, 
quite expensive ; for besides the time and labor required 
to make them, they were often richly embellished, adding 
to their expense. A pair of ancient dueling pistols. 



2 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

either of foreign or domestic manufacture, generally shows 
their manufacture called for high mechanical skill with 
artistic conception. 

Besides the single-shot pistols of the duelling pattern 
were those of plainer finish for military work. These 
pistols were of large caliber, generally shooting a spherical 
bullet ; sometimes a bullet and several shot were em- 
ployed. These pistols were often of smooth bore. 
Next came the manufacture of military rifled pistols by 
machinery, and later, with the advent of the metallic 
cartridge, the production of the cheap, single-shot breech- 
loading pistol of small caliber. 

The introduction of the revolver, which had such an 
apparent advantage over the single-shot pistol on account 
of its reserve shots, almost drove the pistol into disuse. 
It also had the effect of lessening practicing with the 
pistol, which in the early days of this country was con- 
sidered a gentleman's accomplishment. Fine shooting 
became a lost art, and the old-time pistol shot sank into 
oblivion. Speed in manipulating a revolver was appar- 
ently considered of more importance than extreme 
accuracy. 

The first American revolvers were crude arms ; their 
chief merits being the reserve fire and ability to fire 
rapidly. Improvements in the arm to increase its accuracy 
were slow. The change from percussion to rim-fire cart- 
ridges retarded improvement in accuracy ; from rim-fire 
to central-fire cartridges had the same effect ; and it can 
be safely said that American breech-loading pistols and 
revolvers were not brought to a high state of perfection 
until within a few years ; and the American revolvers 
were far inferior, in point of accuracy, to the old muzzle- 
loading rifled pistol until within a short time. 

In the year 1885 the writer commenced the publication 



DEVELOPMENT OF PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 3 

of The Rifle^ a montlily journal devoted to rifle shooting 
in all its branches. At that time I think it was generally- 
believed by the shooting fraternity that, with one excep- 
tion, a pistol was the most difficult of firearms to shoot 
well. The revolver, it was thought, was not only the 
most difficult of all firearms to shoot accurately, but it 
was supposed the arm was incapable of doing accurate 
work. Such statements appeared repeatedly in sports- 
men's publications. 

After considering the subject for some time, the writer 
determined to devote his attention to learning as much as 
he could of the possibilities of modern American pistols 
and revolvers, giving several years to the study of those 
arms, and writing on the subject until he had the pleasure 
of seeing American pistols, revolvers, ammunition, and the 
skill of those using the same, developed to a point far 
beyond what it was considered possible. 

I have alluded to the revolver supplanting the single- 
shot pistol for a time. This was chiefly because the 
revolver was considered a better weapon of defense. As 
target practice with the pistol increased in popularity, the 
advantages of each arm were considered to an infinitesimal 
degree. As a result of this investigation, it became appar- 
ent that the single-shot pistol was an arm to be preferred 
for target work. For a long time it was difficult to 
determine the difference in accuracy between the two 
arms. I have summarized the opinions of expert pistol 
shots, and the result shows that to-day a majority believe 
that in firing 100 shots at fifty yards on the Standard 
American target, the pistol is capable of making from 
fifteen to twenty points more than the revolver. Besides 
the single-shot pistol being considered more accurate, it 
can be shot 100 shots or more without cleaning, while 
the revolver must be cleaned often to maintain its ac- 



4 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

curacy ; and the ammunition for the single-shot pistol is 
much cheaper than that used in revolvers. 

These are facts which have been demonstrated, and 
consequently the manufacture of single-shot pistols has 
been revived in America. The target pistol is now made 
in greater numbers than ever before ; and while the 
revolver still holds its popularity, and is owned and shot 
by most pistol experts, yet the single-shot pistol is more 
generally used in target and match shooting. 



SINGLE-SH T PIS TOLS. 5 

CHAPTER II. 

AMERICAN SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 

There are four well-known makers of single-shot 
pistols in America : the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., of 
Chicopee Falls, Mass. ; Smith & Wesson, of Springfield, 
Mass. ; William WurfHein, of Philadelphia, Penn. ; and 
The Remington Arms Co., of Ilion, N. Y. Frank Wesson, 
of Worcester, Mass., was at one time a well-known 
maker of single-shot pistols, but he is now out of the 
business, although his pistols are on the market and in 
use by marksmen to-day. Besides the manufacturers 
mentioned, there are a few gunmakers who sometimes 
make pistols to order, but they rarely make such arms 
except to accommodate some particular customer desiring 
a special pistol. 

Single-shot pistols are made in calibers from .22 to .50. 
Most of them are made, in .22 caliber ; the Stevens, the 
Wurfflein, and the Smith & Wesson being chambered and 
rifled for the celebrated long-rifle cartridge in the .22 
caliber, which is extremely accurate at all ranges at which 
pistols are shot. This celebrated cartridge was originated 
by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., and first manufactured 
by the Union Metallic Cartridge Co., at Bridgeport, 
Conn., in the spring of 1886. The .25 caliber rim-fire 
cartridge also enjoys a popularity ; but owing to the 
expense of that ammunition, and its liability to misfire, 
it is not so popular as when first introduced. The 
.22-7—45 inside lubricated rim-fire cartridge, introduced 
by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. in 1890, is rapidly 
becoming popular, especially with those who carry a pistol 
for small game shooting. 



6 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Most of the single-shot pistols of American make 
which are exported, are made in larger calibers, and for 
central-fire cartridges ; the .32 caliber being a popular 
size, as the central-fire cartridges in this caliber can be 
found more readily abroad than most American cartridges. 
The .44 caliber is also a favorite, the latter being chosen 
by some in order that they may have one cartridge for 
both pistol and revolver. 

I know of no club in the United States that places a 
limit on the weight of a pistol. This is obviously un- 
necessary, as it would be difficult to hold at arms-length 
a pistol beyond a certain weight. Most of the single-shot 
pistols used for target shooting have barrels ten inches in 
length. Before rules governing pistol shooting were 
perfected, there were a number of experts that secured 
pistols with twelve-inch barrels ; but most rules, at the 
time of writing, forbid barrels of over ten inches. The 
length of barrels of revolvers is usually not over six 
inches, so it will be seen that the pistol has a decided 
advantage over the revolver. 

The famous Stevens single-shot pistols are manufact- 
ured by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., at Chicopee 
Falls, Mass., and several models are made for different 
purposes. The largest and heaviest is known as the Lord 
model. This arm is generally made in .22 caliber with a 
ten-inch barrel, and weighs in this caliber three pounds. 
As the size of the caliber is increased, the weight of the 
arm is slightly lessened. It has a larger frame and a 
much longer handle than the other models, as the person 
who suggested the model, Mr. Frank Lord, at one time a 
celebrated pistol shot of New York City, had a herculean 
frame, and preferred a pistol with a very long handle. 
This pistol was formerly rifled and chambered for the 
.22 caliber short cartridge, but at^the present timejs,^as 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 1 

is the case with all the other .22 caliber pistols manu- 
factured by this company, made for the long-rifle cart- 
ridge ; barrels for this cartridge, also for the .22-7-45 
Winchester inside lubricated cartridge requiring a quicker 
twist than in the pistols for the .22 short. The change of 



■**;^ 




Fig. 1, —Mr. J. Stevens, inventor of The Stevens Pistol. 



the twist is a decided advantage, for it enables one to use 
either the long-rifle cartridge, the short cartridge, or even 
the conical breech caps if desii ed ; while with the pistols 
rifled for the .22 short, that cartridge and the conical 
breech caps alone can be used. The Lord Model Stevens 
pistols can be bored and rifled for almost all of the Amer- 



8 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 2. — The Lord Model Stevens Pistol. 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



9 



ican pistol cartridges, but few are made for larger than .25 
caliber. The late Ira Paine preferred the Lord roodel 




Fiif. 3. — The Con'in Model Stevens Pi?tol. 



pistol, and used it in his exhibitions up to the time of his 
death. 

The next model is known as the Conlin model. It 
usually has a ten-inch barrel, is .22 caliber, and weighs 
2^ pounds. This model was named for Mr. James S. 



10 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 4. — Fifty consecutive shots witti a Stevens pistol by Lieut. Sumner Paine. 
Shot at Walnut Hill at fifty yards, Feb. 22, 1892. Score 461. Reduced one-quarter. 




Fig. 5. — Fifty consecutive shots at 50 yards by Mr. H. S. Harris. Shot In 
match at Walnut Hill, Feb. 20, 1892, with a Stevens pistol. Score 455, off- 
hand count, Target reduced from 8-inch bull's eye. 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 11 

Coiiliii, the well-known proprietor of Conlin's shooting 
gallery in New York City. The model formerly had the 
side-covered trigger, which was never liked by the writer. 
When deeply interested in pistol shooting, I tried the 
different pistols manufactured by the J. Stevens Arms & 
Tool Co. I found the Lord model too heavy for me to 




Fig. 6. — Fifty consecutive shots at 50 vanls, shot in a match at Walnut Hill, Feb. 
22, 1892, with a Stevens pistol, by Mr. E. E. Patridge. Score 453. 



hold steadily, the Conlin model was objected to on 
account of the side-covered trigger ; therefore I attempted 
to alter a pistol to better suit me. I procured a Conlin 
model frame. Cutting off the side trigger guard, I attached 
the trigger guard of a Lord model pistol ; and when I had 
altered the arm to better suit me, I forwarded the same to 
the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. This company immedi- 
ately made a pistol somewhat like it, which was sent for 
my inspection. The trigger guard to the new pistol had 



12 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 7. — Copy of five consecutive sliots by Mr. J. B. Fellows. Score fifty, out of 

a possible fifty on Standard American target; distance fifty yards. Shot with 

a .22 caliber Stevens pistol and long rifle cartridge of U. M. C. Co., made 

at the Fall Meeting of the Massachusetts Rifle Association 1888. 

The highest score made during the meeting. 

Target full size. 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



n 



a spur on it, to which I objected, and the guard was alto- 
gether too small to suit me. The J. Stevens Arms & Tool 
Co. asked permission to call the pistol the Gould model, 




Fig. 8. — The Gould Model Stevens Pistol. 



to which I objected, as it was not like the one I thought I 
had improved. The trigger guard, with and without the 
spur, was so much of an improvement over the side-covered 
trigger, however, that the manufacturers abandoned 



14 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 9. — Ten shots at fifty yards, with a Smith & Wessou single-shot pistol, eight- 
inch barrel chambered and rifled for the Winchester 22-7-45 cartridge. 
Shot by Major C. W. Hinman. 




Fig. 10. — Fifty consecutive shots, at fifty yards, shot by Mr. J. B. Fellows, at 

Walnut Hill, Mass., with a Stevens .22 caliber pistol and U. M. C. Co.'s 

ammunition. Score, 456 points, shot on fifty yards pistol target. 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. ' 15 

making the original Conlin model, and called the one 
without the spur the Gould model, and with the spur the 
Conhn model. 

Another model produced by this company is called the 
Diamond model. It is much smaller in size, and is made 




Fig. 11. — The Diamond Model Stevens Pistol. 

with either a ten-inch or a six-inch barrel. The weight of 
the former is ten ounces, and with the latter twelve ounces. 
Some two years previous to the time of writing, I carried 
a six-inch barrel Diamond model to Walnut Hill, and was 




Fig. 12. — Stevens Pistol, with 3^ inch barrel. 

laughed at heartily for my temerity ; but I had confidence 
that the arm would shoot accurately. Although I found 
some difficulty at first in shooting it well, the raillery of 
my friends influenced me to practice with it until I had 
demonstrated the arm to be accurate. Several of the 
marksmen at that famous resort then adopted the arm, a 
number altering it slightly. Some added a ten-inch 



16 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



barrel and restocked the pistol, whicli makes a very light 
and extremely accurate pistol when fired with proper 




Fig. 13. — Mr. J. B. Fellows, Boston, Amateur Pistol Shot. 



sights ; but so light an arm must be handled with delicacy. 
To those interested in pistol practice who have moderate 
muscular strength in the arms, the lightness of this model 
commends itself. 

There are two other models made by the above com- 
pany, which have barrels three and 3^ inches in length, 
and consequently they do not shoot with anything like 
the accuracy of the other models. They are intended 
chiefly for pocket pistols, representing a minimum of 
compactness with accuracy. 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



11 



\m 





Fig. 14, — Stevens Pistols with Skeleton Stocks. 



18 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

The Stevens pistols have made some of the most 
wonderful scores known. The barrels, upon which so 
much depends, seem to be perfect, and probably at the 
present time there are more Stevens pistols in the hands 
of famous marksmen throughout the world than of any- 
other make. 

The sights attached to the Stevens target pistols are 





Fig. 15. — Sights for Stevens Target Pistols. 

generally a bead front sight and a rear wind gauge sight, 
the latter being operated by a screw. To operate 
these pistols, half-cock the arm, press the stud on the 
side which releases the barrel, which tips down, thus 
exposing the chamber in which the cartridge is placed. 
The action is then closed, hammer cocked, and the arm 
discharged. 

The Smith & Wesson single-shot pistols have only 
recently been perfected, and after long and careful con- 
sideration characteristic of the firm producing them. It 
is safe to say there is no finer made pistol in the world 
than this latest American product. It is compact, sym- 
metrical, made and finished with the highest mechanical 
skill. The first single-shot pistol produced by this firm 
was of .38 caliber; a .32 caliber soon followed, both of 
these calibers taking the central-fire cartridge. The 
barrels were six inches in length, but American pistol 
shooters at once called for the .22 caliber and a ten-inch 
barrel for the long-rifle cartridge. This call was responded 
to, and the ten-inch single-shot Smith & Wesson pistol has 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



19 




Fig. 16. — The New Smith & Wesson Single-Shot Pistol. 



20 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. \ 



already sprung into popularity, and shown to be unsur- 
passed for accuracy and reliability. 

These pistols have barrels from six to ten inches in 
length, and are made in calibers from .22 to .38 inclusive, 
chambered and rifled for the best American pistol car- 
tridges. 

The action is the same as the .38 caliber single-action 
Model 1891 revolver ; in fact, it is the .38 caliber single- 
action frame, hammer, trigger, trigger guard and lock-work. 
Into this frame is fitted a single-shot barrel. The barrel 
is fitted with a fine open bead front sight, and, although 
very delicate in appearance, is sufficiently strong to prevent 
being bent in any ordinary use. Other styles of front 
sights can be used if preferred. A lateral sliding bar 
wind gauge, similar to the one on the .44 Russian model 
target revolver, is attached to the barrel clutch. I have 
stated that the arm had the frame of the .88 caliber 
revolver. That frame has a stock beautifully modeled, 
and just right for a revolver with '3^ or four inch barrel, 
and a cylinder ; for compactness and symmetry is con- 
sidered in making an arm to be carried in the pocket. 
But a pistol with a barrel six inches long or even longer, 
which is intended for target work, might be improved, 
according to the ideas of pistol experts, by lengthening 
the handle, and the manufacturers have accomplished this 
by supplying a new rubber stock, which fits so perfectly 
over the stock frame as to make a longer and thicker 
handle, giving ample opportunity for a person with a 
large hand to grasp the handle perfectly. With this radical 
change perfect symmetry and balance have been preserved. 

The arm is operated by lifting the barrel clutch, and 
tipping the barrel muzzle downwards, this operatio^i act- 
ing on the ejector automatically, ejecting the shell of an 
exploded cartridge. 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



21 




Fig. 17. —The Wurfflein SinRle-Shot Pistol. 



22 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



The Wurfflein pistols, made by Mr. William Wurfflein, 
of Philadelphia, are very meritorious arms, thoroughly 
made of the best material and very accurate. Mr. 
Wurfflein does not manufacture pistols in any such quan- 
tities as the other manufacturers, making the most of his 




Fig. 18. 



■Mr. William Wurfflein, Inventor and Manufacturer of the 
Wurfflein Pistol. 



arms to order. The majority of his pistols are with ten- 
inch barrels, and are .22 caliber for the long-rifle car- 
tridge ; though he will make them for any pistol cartridge, 
for either central or rim-fire cartridges, or both, and with 
barrels to interchange in one stock, and with long or short 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



23 



barrels. His pistols weigh from 2f to 3|- pounds. The 
arm is more like the old style dueling pistol in appear- 




Fig. 19. — ^ThejWurfflein Single-Shot Pistol. Open. 



ance than any other American pistol now manufactured. 
It is operated as follows : — 

The projecting piece back of the hammer is pressed, 



24 MODERN AMEBIC AX PISTOLS AXD REVOLVERS. 

which releases the barrel, which has a tip-up action, 
enabling the shooter to readily insert a cartridge or with- 
draw an exploded case. 

Mr. WuriSein makes pistols to order with special shaped 
stocks or other points desired by customei*s. 




Fig. 20.— Fifty eonsetnitive sllot^^. at fifty yards, by INlv. Sunmer Faino. at Walnut 

Hill, ,lmie 4.18;t-2. made with AVurttlein .-2 ialil>Vv pistol. Si\)ie, 4i:2. whioli 

at time of shooting, tied the best amateur reeord for fifty shots 

with pistol. Target reducetl to \i original size. 



The Remington shigle-shot pistols are much less ele- 
gant pieces of workmanship than the Stevens, the Wurftiein, 
or the Smith c^^ Wesson ; but there are excellent points 
about these arms which will be apparent to the inspector 
as he examines them. They possess great strength and 
wearing qualities, are accurate ; and although not par- 
ticularly symmetrical, they are well balanced, and have 
such excellent handles that, when grasped, there is a 
feeling of firmness and steadiness which is verified when 
the shooter attempts to sight it on a small object. The 
pistols are made in .22, .25, and .32 caliber; the .25 caliber 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



25 




Fig. 21.— The Remington Single-Shot Pistol. 



^6 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REFOLVEMS. 

being adapted for the rim-fire cartridge, and the .32 caliber 
for the short or long rim-fire Smith & Wesson and the .32 
Winchester central-fire cartridges. The pistol is also 
made in .50 caliber with full round barrel and for central- 
fire shell. They have barrels eight, ten, or twelve inches 
long. 

The action is similar to the old model Remington rifle. 
The hammer is brought to a full cock, a breech block 
rolled back, which permits the barrel, which is screwed 
into a solid frame, being inspected from the rear, and is 
thus easily cleaned. All attempts to procure discharges 
from these arms with action improperly closed have been 
unsuccessful, and can see no reason why they are not as 
safe as they are accurate. Their unusual strength and 
weight make them desirable arms for long range pistol 
practice, as they will stand a much heavier charge, with 
comfort to the shooter, than would ever be required for 
shooting at any range. 

The Wesson single-shot pistols were formerly manufact- 
ured by Frank Wesson, at Worcester, Mass. They are 
operated as follows : The hammer is slightly raised and 
held by a pin pressed in from the side ; a projecting stud 
is pressed at the bottom of the receiver, and the barrel 
turned over to one side, — the shell of the exploded car- 
tridge thrown out by the extractor. The arms are well 
balanced, fitted with good sights of different styles, and 
are accurate, but not to be compared in accuracy at 
fifty yards with the more modern pistols with quicker 
twist, and shooting improved ammunition. 

The Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Co., of 
Hartford, Conn., formerly made three styles of single-shot 
Deringers. Two of these arms are no longer manufact- 
ured, though some are in use. To operate the old national 
Deringer, set the hammer at half cock, grasp the stock 



SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 



27 




Fig. 22.- Colt National Deringer. Not now manufactured. 



'28 MODFRy A}rEliICAN PISTOLS AND HE VOL VH US. 




V\c- -^- — Colt IVriusix^r. 



in iho light hand, and, drawing back iho siool Inmon 
with the fore linger, rotate the Ixirrel toward von with 



SI^'GLE-SIIOT PISTOLS. 



29 




Fig. 24. — Colt Deringer. Not now manufactured. 



the left hand. Holding the barrel thus turned aside, in- 
troduce the cartridge, and then rotate it to its original 



30 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. ^ 

position. After firing, the empty shell may be ejected 
by rotating the barrel as directed for loading. 

In the Deringer now manufactured the barrel is held in 
place by a friction catch ; pushing the barrel makes it 
revolve on a pivot and eject automatically. 

The weight of the old Deringers are about ten ounces 
each ; the one made now weighs 7i ounces. They are 
powerful pistols of large bore, intended for weapons of 
defense at short range. 



THE COLT REVOLVER. 31 



CHAPTER III. 

THE COLT REVOLVER. 

The armory of the Colt's Patent Fire- Arms Manu- 
facturing Company is located at Hartford, Conn., where 
the famous Colt revolvers, so favorably known through- 
out the world are manufactured. Samuel Colt, the 
inventor of the Colt revolver, commenced devising the 
mechanism of this arm as early as 1830 ; and the result 
of his ingenuity and skill is the large plant at Hartford, 
where the Colt revolver has been produced in great 
quantities for half a century ; the establishment consists 
of a number of buildings, having a total machine floor 
space of 7i acres, while there are actually 11.6 miles of 
live belting. The styles of revolvers made by this com- 
pany are as follows : — 

Single-Action Army Revolver : length of pistol, 12 
inches ; length of barrel, 1\ inches ; bore or caliber, .45 
inch ; weight, two pounds five ounces ; rifling, six 
grooves, one revolution in sixteen inches ; depth of groove, 
.005 inch ; six shot. 

Cartridge. — Weight of powder, forty grains ; weight 
of lead, 250 grains. Central-fire, external priming. 

Army and Frontier Revolver : double-action ; full length 
of pistol, 12 J inches ; length of barrel, 4f, 5|-, and 7 
inches ; weight of pistol with 7J-inch barrel, two pounds 
seven ounces ; caliber, .45 inch ; six shot. Made with 
barrels of any length, and for the old U. S. regulation car- 
tridge, or the .44 caliber magazine rifle cartridge. The 
revolver taking the latter cartridge is known as the 
Frontier model, 



32 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



New Navy Revolver: double-action; caliber, .38 and 
.41 ; central-fire ; length of pistol, IH inches ; weight, 
two pounds ; length of barrel, three, 4|-, and six inches. 

New Model, .41 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber, 
.41 ; six shot ; length of barrels, 4-|-, five, and six inches. 

New Army Revolver : double-action ; caliber, .38 and 
.41 ; central-fire ; length of pistol, 11:|^ inches ; weight, two 




Fig. 25. —Col. Samuel Colt, Inventor of the Colt Revolver. 



pounds ; length of barrels, three, 4|-, and six inches. 

New Model, .38: double-action; central-fire; caliber, 
.38 ; six shot ; length of barrels, 2^, 3^, 4^, five and six 
inches. 



THE COL T RE VOL VER. 



33 




Fig. 26. — Original Colt Revolver. 



34 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

New Target Revolver, in .32, .38, .44 and .45 caliber, 
made on single-action frame. This company also makes 
these revolvers for the Russian model .44 caliber cartridge, 
and for .436, .450, .455, and .476 Ely cartridges. These 
are made with long handles expressly for target work. 

New Pocket Revolver (Army revolver design): .32 
caliber ; 2 J, 31- and six-inch barrels ; weight, sixteen ounces. 

The above models represent the various revolvers made 
at the Colt armory at the time of writing ; but there will 
be found in use many Colt revolvers made up differently 
than those mentioned. There are thousands of the old 
model army and nav}" revolvers in existence to-day which 
load at the muzzle of the cylinder. In this model, as well 
as the .38 caliber, many have been altered to breech loaders, 
to shoot the central-fire cartridges, and are accurate and 
fine shooting arms. There are also in use old and new 
model Colt revolvers with various lengths of barrels and 
odd calibers, to suit the whims and fancies of individ- 
uals requiring a revolver for a particular kind of work ! 
revolvers in single action of various calibers, without a 
trigger, and fired by drawing back the hammer with the 
thumb, and releasing it, as well as by pressing back the 
hammer with the left hand, and releasing it, with the 
object of discharging the arm more rapidly than it could 
by cocking ; Ai my and Frontier models with very short 
barrels, for parties desiring the most powerful revolver 
made in the most compact form, suitable for short range 
only, and sacrificing accuracy. The army model Colt 
revolver has the following mechanism : — 

The hand, or finger, or pawl, which revolves the cylinder 
has two points, one above the other. The upper engages 
the ratchet of the cylinder when the revolution begins. 
But before the necessary sixth of a revolution could be 
made, as the pawl moves in a plane, and the ratchet tooth 



THE COLT REVOLVER. 



35 




Fig. 27. — Colt Double- Action, .38 and .41 calibers. No. 1. 



36 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

in the arc of a circle whose plane is perpendicular to the 
pawl's plane of motion, the pawl would lose its hold on 
the tooth, and the revolution of the cylinder would stop. 
To prevent this, the second point is added; and just as 
the first point will disengage from the ratchet, the second 
or lower point engages another tooth of the ratchet and 
completes the revolution. By this arrangement the pawl 
actuates a larger ratchet than it could otherwise, and 
therefore exerts more force upon the cylinder, by acting 
upon a longer lever arm. This permits a ratchet of greater 
diameter, insuring greater leverage, facilitating rotation. 

The cylinder has a bushing, which projects in front of 
it, and gives three surfaces upon which the cylinder re- 
volves, thus diminishing the chance of sticking from dirt 
or rust, and also giving a very small axis upon which to 
revolve, decreasing the moment of friction. This point, 
it is claimed, is especially advantageous in preventing the 
revolver from becoming inoperative when exposed to the 
elements. 

When the ejector is used, it springs back to its place, 
and is ready for use again, avoiding the necessity of put- 
ting it back. 

To TAKE APART THE REVOLVER. Half COck the 

revolver, loosen the catch screw which holds the center 
pin, draw out the center pin, open the gate, and the 
cylinder can then be withdrawn. 

To remove the ejector, turn out the ejector tube screw, 
then push the front end away from the barrel, and pull it 
toward the muzzle. The barrel can then be unscrewed. 

The stock can be removed by turning out the two 
screws just behind the hammer, and that at the bottom of 
the strap. All the parts of the lock are then displayed, 
and can be readily separated. 

The cylinder bushing should be pushed out for cleaning. 



TEE COLT REVOLVER. 



a7 




Fig. 28. — Colt Double-Action, 38 and .41 calibers. 



38 MODLRX AM ERIC Ay PISTOLS ASD RSrOLrERS. 

To remove the gi\te, turn out a screw iu the kiwer side 
of the fn\me, hidden by the trigger giiaixi, then the gj\te 
spring and oatoh can 1h? withdrawn, and the gate can be 
pushed out. 

To load the arm. — Fii-st motion : Hokling the revol- 
ver in the left hand, muzzle down^^-ard, half cook it with 
the right hand and oj^^en the gate. Second motion : Insert 
the cartridges in succession with the right hand, close the 
gi\te, cock luid tire, taking it in the right hand, or bring 
the hammer to the safety notch, as may be desii-ed. 

To eject the cartridge shells. — First motion. Hold- 
ing tlio arm in the left hand, half cock with the right 
hand and open the gi\te. Second motion. Eject the shells 
in succession with the ejector pushed by the right hand, 
movino^ the cvlinder with the thumb and foi*etinofer of the 
left hand. When the shells have been ejected, the 
revolver is ready for the second motion of kx^ding. 

There are three notches in the hammer of this arm. 
The tii-st is the safety notch, the second is the half-cock 
notch, and the third is the cook notch. The pistol cannot 
Iv tired when the hammer rests in the s^ifety notch or 
hiilf-cock notch, and c;ui be tired by pulling the trigger 
when the hammer rests in the cock notch. The manu- 
facturers of the Colt revolver state that the arm s-hould 
be carried with the hammer restini:: in the safetv notch : 
but manv armv othcers and frontiersmen habit uallv 
carried one chamber of the revolver empty, with the 
hammer down on the empty chamber. 

There will alwa}-s be many revolver shooters who 
prefer an arm with a solid fmnie. These persons will 
unhesitatingly select the Colt revolver. The strength 
of this arm is undoubted, and it is believevi that an un- 
biased judge would awi^rd the claim of superiority in 
stauiling rough us;\ge to the Colt revolver. There has 



THE COLT KJErOLVER. 



89 




Fig, 29. — Colt Army Double-Action, .44 and .45 caliber. 



40 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

been much testimony relative to the merits of different 
American arms presented by expert revolver shots during 
the past few years ; the special uses of certain arms have 
made prominent desirable or undesirable features which 
have been pointed out. A careful summarizing of the 
opinions shows that a majority of revolver experts beheve 
that the Colt revolver is not made with such delicacy 
of parts as some other arms ; but it is evident that this 
very want of delicacy of the parts is much in favor of 
its adoption by those desiring a revolver powerful, accu- 
rate, and less affected by exposure to .the elements ; per- 
mitting neglect of care after using, and requiring less 
attention while using. It is believed that more shots can 
be fired from the Colt revolver without cleaning, and 
have it work well, than any other revolver of American 




Fig. 30. — Colt Old Army Single-Action. 



make. But with the cleaning found necessary to secure 
accuracy even with this arm, it seems to demand less 
attention than other revolvers ; accurate shooting has 
been secured repeatedly, even after firing 100 shots, 
by simply swabbing out the barrel with a brush or clean- 
ning rod with a cloth drawn through a slot, and without 
removing the cylinder, which worked well after firing 
200 shots. The combined points of the solid frame and 
the arm being unaffected, so far as operating it is COU' 



THE COLT REVOLVER. 



41 




Fig. 31. — Mr. E. J. Darliugton, Wilmington. Del. Amateur Pistol and Kevolver 

Shot. 



42 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



cerned, by neglecting to clean it while using or after- 
ward, has made the Colt revolver the chosen arm of 
many frontiersmen, and probably influenced the mem- 
bers of the Government Ordnance Board in the past to 
favor this arm. 

The old Army .45 caliber and Frontier model .44 
caliber are identical in model, the difference being in the 




Fig. 32. — Mr. Will E. Carlin, Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. 



caliber and the chambering. The cartridge for the Colt 
revolver formerly adopted by the U. S. Government, .45 
caliber straight, is loaded with forty grains of powder 
and a 250 grain bullet. The .44 caliber Frontier model 
takes a magazine rifle cartridge holding forty grains of 
powder and a 200 grain bullet. Both of these cartridges 
are powerful and accurate. There is an apparent difference 
in the recoil, it being less in the .44 caliber rifle cartridge; 



THE COLT RE VOL VER. 4 3 

the fifty grains more of lead in the .45 caliber govern- 
ment cartridge noticeably increasing recoil. In a number 
of tests made with these two cartridges, better results 
were generally secured with the .44 caliber rifle car- 
tridge, taking six shots for a standard, it being the 
number of chambers in these revolvers. It was not 
difficult to place the six shots in a five-inch circle at a 
distance of fifty yards, often in a four-inch circle, and 




Fig. 33. — Thirty shots at 121/2 yards with .44 caliber Colt revolver, by Mr. 

W. E. Carlin. 



occasionally, with the .44 caliber 40-200 cartridge, a three- 
inch circle would touch or enclose all of the shots. 

The .41 and .38 caliber revolvers of this company's make 
are very accurate and reliable arms ; the .38 caliber, with 
the six and seven inch barrels, are chosen by persons 
desiring an accurate, quite powerful, and pleasant shoot- 
ing weapon. The .38 caliber with the six and seven inch 
barrels are surprisingly accurate up to fifty yards ; the recoil 
is light and not unpleasant. The charge is less powerful 



44 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

than the .44 and .45, but about as heavy as is possible 
in an arm of its size and weight, and retain a satisfactory- 
degree of accuracy. It is not difficult, in shooting with 
a rest, to place six shots with this arm within a three-inch 
circle at fifty 3^ards ; and this feat has been accomplished 
in off-hand shooting with a .38 caliber Colt revolver with 
a seven-inch barrel. 

Notwithstanding the admitted excellence of the Colt 
revolvers, as formerly used by the United States Army 
and Navy, there was developed a feeling that the .44 and 
.45 calibers were unnecessarily powerful. Many papers 
were written by officers of the service recommending a 
revolver which could be reloaded quicker than the Colt 
revolver then in use, and shooting a less powerful car- 
tridge. As a result the New Colt Double-Action Self- 
Cocking revolver, .38 caliber, was produced, and first 
adopted by the United States Navy, and later with 
slight modifications by the United States Army and the 
volunteer forces of several States. 

A description of this new model is as follows : — 

Its cylinder contains six chambers. In order to facili- 
tate the loading of cartridges, and to alloAv the simultane- 
ous ejection of the emptied cartridge shells, the cylinder 
is so mounted upon a crane, pivoted in the frame below 
the cylinder seat, that, on drawing the cylinder latch 
to the rear, the C3dinder SAvings to the left and downward 
out of its seat in the frame. In this position all the cham- 
bers are presented for loading, while pressure against the 
end of the ejector rod under the barrel ejects all the 
shells. Then, after ejecting and loading, the cylinder 
is returned to its seat in the frame, the cylinder latch 
automatically securing it there. 

The manufacturers of the Colt revolver claim, by 
this construction all the facilities for loading and eject- 



THE COLT REVOLVER. 



45 




Fig. 34. —Colt Army Model 1892, .38 and .41 calibers. 



46 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



ing are obtained without sacrificing the important fea- 
ture of a sohd frame, such as all modern Colt pistols 
show; for, there being no hinge or joint in the frame 
between the barrel and stock, there is no wearing which 
might disturb the accuracy of the pistol. Its working is 
simple, so as to be understood at once, while the absence of 
complicated and delicate parts prevents it from getting out 




Fig. 35— Cole Army Revolver Model 1892, showing mode of Extracting Shells. 



of order. The lock mechanism also is very simple and 
strong. The hammer may be cocked by the thumb or by 
the trigger, and after firing it rebounds, and is positively 
locked in this safety position, so that it cannot strike the 
primer of a cartridge until it is again cocked. The cylinder 
cannot be swung out of the frame unless the hammer is in 
its safety position, and the act of swinging the cylinder out 
of the frame automatically locks the trigger and the hammer 
in this position. Thus premature discharges during manip- 
ulation are prevented, as also accidental discharges from 
blows, such as result from a fall, etc. 



THE COLT RE VOL VER. 



47 



The falling of the hammer from any position cannot 
fire a shot unless the trigger is fully pulled back at 
the same time, as only then the hammer can fall beyond 




Fig. 36.— Old Model Colt Revolver, with Stock Attachment. 



the safety position. The hand or pawl which rotates the 
cylinder has two working points to engage the cylinder 
ratchet, and by an ingenious construction this pawl also 
serves as cylinder bolt, and positively prevents any further 



48 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS, 



rotation after one of the chambers in the cylinder coincides 
with the bore of the barrel. The cylinder latch prevents 
its backward rotation. 




Fig. 37 — Colt New Pocket .32 Caliber. 



Fig. 34 gives a view of it as closed ; Fig. 35 shows 
it with the cylinder swung out, and the ejector is repre- 
sented in the act of throwing out the empty shells, after 



THE COLT REVOLVER. 49 

which it will be automatically returned to its place in the 
cylinder, which then will be ready for loading. 

The latest product of this company is known as the 
New Pocket Revolver. This model embodies the princi- 



Fig, 38.— Colt New Pocket Revolver. 



pies of the new model army revolver made by this 
company, but is on a small scale, the arm being intended 
as a pocket weapon. It is chambered and rifled for 
various .32 caliber cartridge, and will shoot either long 



50 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



or short Colt cartridge, or the .32 Smith & Wesson car- 
tridges. It can, like the army model, be used either as 
a single-action revolver, or as double-action. The arm is 




Fig. 39. — Diagram of twelve successive shots, full size, at fourteen measured 

yards, by Mr. Walter Winans Shot at the Brighton, Eng., Rifle Gallery, 

Feb. 14, 1889, vk^itli a Colt .45-caliber revolver, with full charge English 

Army Ammunition " Mark i." Score 116 out of a possible 120. 



compact, well made, and have no reason to doubt its 
accuracy, but at the time of writing have not been able 
to submit it to a practical test. It weighs one pound. 
Fig. 37 shows the revolver, as does Fig. 38, the latter 
illustrating the mode of extracting the shells after firing. 



SMITE & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 51 



CHAPTER IV. 

AMERICAN REVOLVERS — SIVHTH & WESSON'S 
PRODUCTIONS. 

The armory of Messrs. Smith & Wesson is at Spring- 
field, Mass., and is said to be tlie most complete estab- 
lishment for the manufacture of revolvers in the world. 
The work produced at this armory has an extensive 
reputation, their products being sent to nearly every 
country on the globe. The revolvers are beautifully 
made, as perfect as it seems possible to construct them : 
they have a pleasing contour, are symmetrical, well bal- 
anced, and possess great accuracy. These revolvers were 
formerly constructed in calibers from .22 to .45, but a few 
years ago this firm discontinued making the .22 caliber. 
Formerly the .22 and .32 calibers were opened by pressing 
a clutch under the action, and the barrel and cylinder were 
pushed upward; the cylinder was then removed, and the 
shells, extracted from the cylinder by a fixed post. Later, 
the invention of the automatic shell ejector was added, and 
the revolver opened by a clasp ; the barrel and cylinders 
tip downward, the action at the same time ejecting the 
shells. This mechanism is one of the greatest inventions 
ever made in connection with revolvers, and was quickly 
adopted by most of the revolver manufacturers, both at 
home and abroad, as early as the patents covering the 
invention expired. All of the revolvers now made at the 
factory of Smith & Wesson are after this model, and are 
known as follows : — 

New Model Army, No. 3 : weight, 2|- pounds ; central- 
fire ; caliber .44 ; six shot ; length of barrel, 6J- inches. 



52 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 





Fiii'. 40. — Mr. D. 13. Wesson, inventor of the Smith & Wesson Revolver. 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



53 



New Model Navy, No. 3 : double-action ; central-fire ; 
caliber .44 ; six shot ; weight, 2^\ pounds ; length of bar- 
rel, four, five, and six inches. 




Fig. 41. — Smith & Wesson Navy Revolver, adapted for various .44 caliber 

cartridges. 



Frontier Revolver : .44 caliber ; single-action ; central- 
fire ; weight, 2^^ pounds ; six shot ; length of barrel, four, 
five, and 6|- inches. 

Frontier Revolver : .44 caliber; double-action; central- 



54 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS 




Fiff . 42. — Smith & AVesson Army Revolver. Adapted for the Russian or the 

Frontier Cartridge. 



fire ; weight, 2^^^ pounds ; six shot ; length of barrel, four, 
five, six, and 6j inches. 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 55 

New Model .38, model of 1891 : weight, sixteen ounces ; 
central-fire; caliber .38; five shot; length of barrel, 3 J, 
four, five and six inches. 

New Model .38 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber .38 ; 
five shot ; weight, 18 ounces ; length of barrel, 3J-, four, 
five, and six inches. 

New Model .32 : weight, thirteen ounces; central-fire; 




Fig. 43. — Ten shots at fifty yards by Mr. F" E. Bennett. Shot with a Smith & 
Wesson .44 caliber Russian Model Revolver with U. S. Cartridge 

Go's ammunition. 

caliber .32; five shot; length of barrel, three, 3|-, and 
six inches. 

New Model .32 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber .32 ; 
five shot ; weight, fourteen ounces ; length of barrel, three, 
3|- and six inches. 

NcAV Model Hammerless Safety Revolver : central-fire ; 
calibers .32 and .38; weight in .38 caliber, 18^- ounces, 
with barrels of different lengths. 



56 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

New Target Revolver, .32-.44 : single-action ; central- 
fire ; six shot ; weight, 2\\ pounds ; length of barrel, 6|- 
inches. 

New Target Revolver, .38-.44 : single-action ; central- 
fire ; six shot ; weight, 2^-^ pounds ; length of barrel, 6i 
inches. 

Probably the chief reason why the products of Smith 
& Wesson are so excellent, is because since 1859, this 
firm has been engaged exclusively in this special line of 
work. They endeavored to procure and construct the 
most complete and perfect machinery for the manufacture 
of their revolvers ; and by the system of inspection of 
parts adopted by this firm, the slightest imperfection in 
material and workmanship may be detected, and when 
discovered is instantly condemned. 

It has been my privilege to visit the factory of Smith 
& Wesson many times, where the greatest freedom was 
granted me for inspecting the various processes of manu- 
facturing these famous revolvers. The highest mechanical 
skill is employed ; the minutest defect of a part causes it 
to be rejected ; the gauges are superfinely constructed, 
and when a part is fitted to a gauge it is so perfect that the 
human eye can scarcely detect the part from the gauge. 

The barrels, cylinders, and all the small parts, are made 
of the best quality of cast steel, and the framework of 
Bessemer steel, made at Troy, N. Y. 

I have closely watched the impressions made upon some 
of the most skillful mechanics in America when a Smith 
& Wesson revolver was submitted for their inspection. 
These severest of critics would seem to revel in the 
pleasure they experienced in seeing such a perfect piece 
of mechanical work, and unhesitatingly commended the 
workmanship in the highest terms. A famous maker 
of hand-made dueling pistols in France spent days in 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



57 



examining the Smith & Wesson Russian model army re- 
volver, using a magnifying glass for the purpose of putting 
on the finest possible finish in the mechanism, in order to 




Fig. 44. — Smith & Wesson Target Revolver, made in .45, .44, .38 and .32 caliber. 



gain an absolute perfect working of the parts. He pro- 
nounced it the finest work he had ever seen produced by 
machinery. 



58 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

One of the noticeable points of excellence in the 
Smith & Wesson revolver, insured by the perfection of 
the parts, is the complete revolution of the cylinder, which 
brings the chamber exactly opposite the barrel when the 
revolver is cocked ; it being absolutely necessary that the 
chamber be opposite the barrel at the moment of the dis- 
charge of the weapon to secure accurate results at a long 
distance. I have fired shots, from revolvers well known 
to the trade, where the cylinder did not bring the cham- 
bers exactly opposite the barrel, and on shooting the 
bullets into soft snow, gathering them afterwards for 
inspection, I found one side of the bullet shaved or scraped 
off, which I believe the reader will see is hkely to im- 
pair the accuracy of the arm. This fault is common in 
the cheap revolvers, but is not found in Smith & Wesson 
revolvers. 

The arm is operated as follows : Holding the revolver 
by the handle in the right hand, lift the barrel catch with 
the left thumb and forefinger. When the barrel catch is 
clear of the barrel, the cylinder tips downward, the car- 
tridges are then placed in the chambers, the barrel is 
swung back into position, when the barrel catch locks the 
parts together ; the hammer cocked, the arm discharged, 
then opened as before described, the barrel brought down 
to a certain point, which acts automatically, and ejects the 
shells. 

The .32 and .38 caliber revolvers manufactured by this 
firm are chiefly used for pocket weapons ; but some are 
manufactured with barrels six inches in length, which 
make excellent target pistols for twenty-five or fifty yards' 
shooting ; those of the latter caliber are now classed with 
military revolvers. Since revolver shooting has become 
popular in America, a more intelligent study of this 
arm has been made by marksmen than ever before; and 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



59 



while the advantages of a solid framed revolver with 
a fixed barrel are admitted for certain uses, it seems to be 
generally admitted that for fine work, where accuracy is 
the chief object, no revolver is equal to one which permits 
an inspection of the inside of the barrel. Any revolver 
which takes a cartridge of sufficient power to make it 




Fig. 45. — Smith «fc Wesson .38 caliber Single-Action Pocket Revolver. 



a suitable weapon of defense, will foul, with most of the 
present ammunition in use, to such an extent as to impair 
the revolver's accuracy after a dozen shots, and many 
believe such is the case with a less number. It is therefore 
the custom of all the best revolver shots the writer has 
ever met, when using full charges and wishing to do fine 
work, to clean the inside of the barrel as often as every ten 
shots ; an easy operation with revolvers made by this firm. 
The old American model Smith & Wesson revolver 
was a great favorite with those who knew what weapon 
to select for reliable work. Many are in use to-day, 
and highly valued as very accurate weapons ; but 
this model was superseded by a new model army re- 



60 



MODERIf AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



volver, which is generally known as the .44 caliber 
Russian model, the name being given on account of the 
Russian government purchasing 150,000 of them for 
her cavalry. This model seems to grow in popularity each 
year, and many of the best revolver target shots in Amer- 
ica have selected it as their choice of weapon. Some time 
ago, when the late Chevalier Ira Paine, the expert pistol 
shot, decided to introduce revolver shooting as one of the 
attractions of his exhibitions, he consulted Gastine Renette, 




Fig. 46. — Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Double-Action Pocket Revolver. 



the famous pistol manufacturer of France, as to the best 
weapon for his purpose. His object was to find the 
most accurate revolver which would shoot a light charge 
at short range, indoors, avoiding noise and smoke, and a 
charge powerful enough to do accurate shooting up to fifty 
yards or more, powerful enough to be considered an army 
pistol. These two experts spent a great amount of time 
in this work, firing thousands of shots from a rest and 
off-hand. They soon discovered what the writer has 
mentioned, that, with revolvers of some make, the 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



61 



chambers not stopping exactly opposite the barrel, the 
accuracy was affected ; but in all their experiments no 
revolvers came so near perfection as the .44 caliber Russian 
model Smith & Wesson revolver, and Chevalier Paine 




Fig. 47. — Smith & Wesson .32 caliber Single-Action Pocket Revolver. 



used that revolver exclusively until his death, in his stage 
work and outdoor shooting. 

As there are many who wish to shoot a light charge for 
target-work, but recognize that the six-inch barrel is 
necessary, as well as a handle of proper size to grasp, the 
manufacturers have produced .32 and .38 calibers in this 
mode], which have become popular, for they are very 
accurate, and have excellent sights for fine work. 

Of those who select the Smith & Wesson revolver 
a majority choose the Russian model ; a portion select- 
ing the .32 or .38 calibers and many the .44 caliber. 
Those who choose the .44 desiring to shoot a weapon 
which is both powerful and accurate, the Russian model 
possessing both of these points. In testing this model 
.44 caliber for accuracy at a distance of fifty yards, 
taking six shots for a test, this being the number of 
chambers in the cylinder, marksmen have repeatedly. 



62 JIODEBX AMEBIC AX PISTOLS AND BEVOLVEBS. 

when shooting the arm \rith a rest, placed the six shots 
in a three-inch circle at fifty yards. 

A new departure in revolvers was made in the Smith 
& Wesson hammerless safety revolver, which was put 
on the market' a few years ago, and possesses many points 
of orioinalitv and excellence. The inventor of this novel 
mechanism is Mr. D. B. Wesson, who has previously con- 
tributed so much toward developing the American 




Fig. 4S. — Smith & Wesson .32 caliber Double- Action Pocket Revolver. 

revolver. The principle is applied to a pocket revolver 
or to a military revolver. 

A hammerless revolver, a short time ago, would have 
been considered an unsafe weapon. In this new revolver 
will be found less liability to accidental discharge than in 
any weapon of its class I have ever inspected, this 
being one of the chief objects kept in mind while the 
inventor developed his mechanism. 

A large proportion of the accidents which occur with 
revolvers arise from carelessly manipulating the hammer 
or trigger, or from leaving the wea^^on full cocked for some 
child or novice to find and accidentally discharge. The 



SMITE & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



63 



pulls on different revolvers vary to such an extent that 
sometimes when a strange revolver with an exposed ham- 
mer is in the hands of an expert, an accidental discharge is 
liable to occur. This is avoided in the new hammerless 
revolver. 

In addition to the visible hammer being the cause of 
many accidents is the constant annoyance caused by 
its projecting and interfering with quickly drawing the 




Fig. 49. — Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Hammerless Revolver, six inch barrel 

classed as Army Revolver, with four inch barrel and under as 

Pocket Revolvers. 



weapon from the pocket or holster. The weapon described 
is for the use of the soldier, the police officer, or for those 
called upon to use this weapon of defense rapidly and 
effectively. Hence a self-acting or self-cocking revolver is 
desirable ; and by dispensing with the projecting outside 
hammer the rapidity of action in drawing the weapon is 
increased, and a desirable point gained. 

The illustration shows the mechanism of the new 
arm. 



64 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



A is the safety lever, B safety latch, C hammer, D 
trigger, F mainspring, G safety-latch spring. The ham- 




Fig. 50. — Illustration of mechanism of Smith & Wesson Hammerless Revolver. 



mer C, which is acted upon and raised by the trigger D, 
as in their self-cocking arms, is kept constantly locked by 
the safety-latch B, which is held in position by the safety- 
latch spring G. The point is emphasized, that when not 
in use the arm cannot be discharged, as will be seen from 
the arrangement of the parts. When held in the hand 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 65 

for firing, the natural pressure exerted by the hand in 
the movement of pulling trigger, and the approach to 
the point where the last ounce of pressure discharges the 
weapon is easily detected. Previous to the last ounce of 
pressure being given, a careful aim is taken, the final 
pressure applied, and the weapon discharged. 

Soon after the Smith & Wesson hammerless revolver 
was placed upon the market the attention of officers of the 
U. S. Cavalry was attracted to the arm. Considerable 
correspondence in relation to the matter was developed. 
This correspondence was in the form of letters from 
Col. Elmer Otis of 8th U. S. Cavalry, and others, to the 
Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of Dakota, 
and communications to the Adjutant General U. S. Army 
and Assistant Adjutant General Department of Dakota, 
as well as to Capt. Philip Reade, 3d Infantry, Inspector 
of Small Arms Practice, Division of the Missouri. 

At that time I was invited by army officers to give my 
opinion as to the best revolver for the U. S. Army, but 
the nature of my position forbade my doing so if I desired ; 
besides I preferred to be a chronicler of events rather 
than an advocate of any system. 

It was evident that Colonel Otis and others had a prefer- 
ence for the Smith & Wesson hammerless safety revolver, 
judging from the following excerpts, which also show 
some changes were desired in revolver practice in the 
U. S. Army. Colonel Otis recommended removing pistol 
practice from carbine practice, in order that proper atten- 
tion be given to becoming proficient in the use of the 
revolver. He said : " The pistol practice should be as 
extensive as that for the carbine. For close quarters it 
is a most efficient arm if properly handled. But it is 
intended only for close and rapid firing. I would not 
desire men whom I lead to commence firing at a greater 



66 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



distance than twenty yards, and recommend lowering the 
pistol, extending the arm and firing, the same as you 
would point your finger. As you fire at least two shots 
with the pistol to one with the carbine, half the time (one 
month) allotted to the former is sufficient. 

" It is thought," continued Colonel Otis, " that a double- 
action revolver would add greatly to the accuracy of fire. 
The danger of premature discharge with a double-action 
pistol, constructed like the Smith & Wesson, is thought 




Fiff. 51. — Smitli & Wesson .32 caliber Hanimeiiess Revolver. 



to be less than with the present revolver. The .45-caliber 
is unnecessarily large, and the range greater than there 
is any need for. A reduction in the former, therefore, 
decreasing weight of pistol and ammunition, would be a 
gain to the trooper in comfort, and would not detract 
from the effectiveness of the weapon. An effective range 
of sixty yards is sufficient, and a pistol would not and 
should not be used at a greater. I desire to have my 
regiment armed with a good, strong, and effective pistol 
before the commencement of this season's practice, and 
request to be informed whether or not requisitions for 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



6T 




Fig. 52. — Smith & "Wesson Revolver with Rifle Stock attached. 



68 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

the Smith & Wesson double-action revolver can be filled. 
A trial would afford an opportunity for comparison for 
the two classes of pistols, and demonstrate which would 
be the better arm for mounted troops. 

" The pistol can be made an effective arm in the hands of 
instructed men, but the first requisite is that the weapon 
itself be as perfectly constructed as possible. If we are to 
have a pistol, let us have the best, and let us be properly 
instructed in the same, so that we can work with it with 
confidence and precision." 

A requisition for 100 of the .38 caliber safety hammer- 
less Smith & Wesson revolvers was made, and they were 
shipped from the factory in July, 1890. 

One of these revolvers was submitted to me, and I 
devoted some time to examining and testing it, making 
the following report : — • 

The revolver weighs twenty-one ounces ; it is similar in 
model to the regular .38-caliber safety hammerless pocket 
revolver, except there is an improvement in the barrel 
clutch which makes it impossible to discharge the arm if the 
barrel clutch is not fully down ; or if one partially closes the 
action, and the barrel clutch is not in its proper place, the 
cylinder fails to revolve and the arm cannot be discharged. 
This improvement adds another feature of safety to this 
revolver. The barrel is six inches long, exclusive of 
cylinder. In testing this revolver for accuracy, it was at 
,once seen that it was far more difficult for a person accus- 
tomed only to the use of a target revolver wdth a light 
trigger pull, to shoot it as accurately as the other re- 
volvers of this firm's manufacture. It is beautifully made, 
in every particular equal to the other fine products of 
this firm ; but the self-cocking pistol is at first difficult 
to hold steadily Avhile applying pressure sufficient to 
discharge it. Shooting at the fifty-yard pistol target, it 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 69 

was difficult at first to hold it still and apply the pres- 
sure required ; but the bullet would strike where the 
revolver was aimed at the moment of discharge. I men- 
tion this and emphasize it ; for probably many excellent 
pistol shots, unaccustomed to the use of a self -cocking 
revolver, will express disappointment at the first trial of 
this arm. 

The hammerless safety system is a radical departure 
from the single-action pistol ; and few persons, I imagine, 
who have been trained only to the light trigger pull of 
the target pistol will be able to shoot it at once with 
great accuracy. On the other hand, it has been found by 
actual experiment that, in the hands of those who only 
occasionally use a revolver, some of whom were cowboys 
of Colorado, a number would do more accurate work with 
one of these revolvers than with the target revolver, — due, 
no doubt, to the fact that the necessary pull rather steadied 
than disturbed the untrained nerves. If, however, one 
accustoms himself to shooting this arm, the trigger finger 
naturally becomes trained so as to apply sufficient pressure 
to nearly discharge it; then secure a good aim, apply a 
little more pressure to the trigger, and the arm is dis- 
charged. This, be it understood, applies chiefly to firing 
with a steady aim. Each time I shot this arm I experi- 
enced less difficulty and made better targets. I therefore 
feel warranted in expressing my belief that one with prac- 
tice can acquire sufficient proficiency to shoot at fifty yards, 
and place a majority of the shots in the regulation bulls- 
eye. The arm contains features which make nearly all the 
accidental discharges in other revolvers impossible in this ; 
it is a more rapid firing arm than any single-action re- 
volver ; it is very light and compact, and it is claimed by 
some cavalry officers is sufficiently powerful, and is capable 
of deadly and rapid work at the range indicated by Colonel 
Otis. 



70 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 






«>MaM><'>i«vM<Mtk'>vi>««iMMMHii 




Fig. 53.— Mr. Walter "Winans, winner of most ui the English Revolver Competitions with 

American Revolvers. 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 



71 



When these revolvers were completed and before they 
left the factory, each arm was shot for accuracy. The 
shooting was done by Mr. Z. C. Talbot, the well known 
rifleman. He fired ten shots from each revolver, or 1,000 
shots in all. The Standard American target, with a two- 
inch bullseye was used, and the shooting done off-hand at 
a distance of twelve yards, a new target being taken for 
each series or each revolver. Following are the totals of 
the 100 shots in ten shot scores : — • 



l8t Series. 


2d Series. 


3d Series. 


4th Series. 


82 


83 


93 


76 


82 


83 


90 


76 


81 


83 


93 


75 


81 


83 


93 


75 


81 


82 


87 


75 


81 


82 


87 


74 


80 


82 


83 


91 


80 


82 . 


85 


84 


80 


82 


85 


87 


80 


82 


81 

877 


80 


808 


824 


793 


Av'ge 80.8 


82.4 


87.7 


79.3 


5th Series. 


6tlj Series. 


7th Series 


8th Series, 


86 


78 


80 


84 


78 


78 


80 


86 


78 


77 


80 


84 


84 


77 


79 


87 


85 


77 


79 


85 


85 


77 


79 


90 


85 


86 


79 


87 


85 


77 


78 


89 


86 


77 


78 


89 


86 


77 


78 
790 


89 


838 


781 


872 


Av'ge. 83.8 


78.1 


79.0 


87.2. 



72 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 





Fig. 54.— Six shots at twelve yards 

with .44-caliber Smith & Wesson 

Revolver, by Theo. E. Beck, 

New York. 



Fiff. 55. — Six shots with Smith & 

Wesson .44-caliber revolver, at 

twelve yards, by Alfred 

Brennon, New York. 





Fig. 5G. — Six shots with Smith & 

Wesson .44-caliber revolver, at 

twelve yards, by Theo. E. 

Beck, New York. 



Fig. 57. — Seven shots at twelve 

yards, with a .32-.44 Smith & 

Wesson Revolver, made by 

Walter Winans, at the 

Brighton Rifle Gallery, 

England, Nov. 16, 

1888. 



SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 73 



9th Series. 


lOth Series. 


Summary, 


88 


88 


2—824 


88 


88 


1 808 


88 


88 


7—790 


87 


88 


3—877 


87 


84 


5—838 


87 


84 


8—872 


87 


84 


4—793 


87 


84 


6—781 


86 


84 


10 855 


86 


83 


9—871 



871 855 100 ) 8309 ( 83.09 Av'ge. 

Av'ge. 87.1 85.5 Total JS'o. of points, 8309. 

Average per score, 83.09. Average value per shot, 8.30. 

As twenty yards was mentioned as the range at which 
Colonel Otis desired his firing to begin, some experiments 
in rapid firing were tried at that distance by experts in 
presence of the writer. It was not a difficult performance 
to place the five shots the revolver was charged with, in 
the eight-inch bullseye, firing with considerable rapidity 
and without lowering the aiming arm. The recoil being 
light, one could quickly recover the aim lost for a second 
by the discharge. This inability to take a quick, accurate 
shot with a heavily charged revolver is almost invariably 
experienced by those shooting such arms. 

Another interesting experiment was tried. Standing 
opposite a row of targets, at twenty yards, one shot only 
would be placed on each target without lowering the arm 
and firing rapidly. At that range, with a steady aim, hit- 
ting the bullseye would be a very ordinary performance ; 
and following the manner of shooting described, it showed 
the arm capable of being handled effectively at that range. 



74 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS, 




a 

2 *^ 

2 o 



ei 3 
m a 

_, «5 
cS be 

P3 o 

09X3 



S > 

'^ O 



to 



MISCELLANEOUS REVOLVERS. 75 

CHAPTER V. 

MISCELLANEOUS REVOLVERS. REVOLVERS CLASSIFIED. 

The Smith & Wesson and the Colt revolvers are 
generally recognized in America as the best types of 
revolvers for military work. The world at large, it is 
thought, wonld think likewise if familiar with the various 
products of different countries in this line. The superi- 
ority of these two makes of weapons warrants the space 
given in describing ihem. But there are other revolvers 
held in esteem by some. The Remington revolver is a 
strong, well-made arm, and shoots accurately. It fires 
six shots; is .44 caliber; has barrels 5>^ and 7^ inches 
in length ; and shoots the .44-40-200 cartridge. It is 
made by the Remington Arms Co., at I lion, N. Y. 

The Merwin, Hulbert & Co.'s Automatic revolver is 
manufactured at Norwich, Conn. The mechanism of this 
arm is entirely different from any other make of American 
revolvers. It is well constructed, the parts being made 
with great care and with a nicety of fitting which is highly 
creditable to the manufacturers. The material from which 
they are constructed is forged steel. 

The mode of operating the arm is as follows : — 

To Load. — Place the hammer at half cock, press the 
loading gate downward, and insert the^ cartridges. 

To Eject the Shells. — Take the revolver in the 
right hand, place the left hand on the barrel with the 
thumb on the button under the frame, push the button 
toward the guard, turn the barrel outward, and draw for- 
ward, when the shells will fall out. 

To TAKE THE Arm Apart. — When the barrel and 
cylinder are drawn forward, as above described, press the 



76 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



barrel catch down and draw forward. No screwdriver is 
needed to take the arm apart or interchange the barrels. 

There are a number of different models manufactured 
with and without the folding hammer in .32, .38, and .44 




Fig. 59. — Mr. George R. Kussell, Kevolver and Tistol Shot. BostoD, Mass. 



calibers, with barrels from three inches to 5^ inches in 
length, and five and seven chambers in the cylinders. 
The .38 and .44 calibers are also manufactured with the 
regular hammer. 

This firm also makes a solid frame revolver of cheap 
grade. 

In inspecting the revolvers of this make, there will be 
found a number which are not adapted to fine shooting, 
but would be classed as short-range weapons of defense. 



MISCELLANEOUS RE VOL VERS. 



77 



or pocket revolvers. Those with the Scinch barrels would 
never be selected by the person desirmg accuracy at any 
distance beyond a few yards ; but the .32 and .38 calibers, 
with a 5i-inch barrel, are considered by many as fine 
shooting weapons. 

It is evident that the action of the Mermn, Hulbert & 




Fig. 60. — Score of ninety-five out of a possible 100, on Standard American 

target, shot by Mr. George R. Russell, with a Stevens pistol, at 

twenty yards. (Full size.) 



Co. revolver possesses as much strength as most of the 
revolver actions on the market. It permits of being taken 
apart with ease and despatch, which enables the user to 
clean the barrel and cylinder in the most thorough manner. 
After cleaning, the arm can be quickly assembled ; more 



78 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



SO, it is thought, than aii}^ other American revolver. It can 
be loaded very quickl}^ by pressing the button under the 
frame toward the guard, turning the barrel outward, and 
drawing forward, when the shells fall out ; fresh cartridges 
are then inserted. The rapidity of operation of this arm 
can hardly be credited until one witnesses the revolver 
manipulated by a person familiar with its operation. 

A ver}^ noticeable point about this weapon is the ability 




Fig. 61.— Mr. W. T. Whiteford. Amateur Pistol Shot. Barnard,'Mo. 



to combine a target revolver with a pocket revolver, as 
with a number of the models two barrels are supplied : 
one 5|-inch, and the other three or 3^ inch barrel. 

The .32 and .38 caliber revolvers with 5^inch barrels 
and folding hammer are nicely balanced arms, and when 
properly sighted are capable of doing fine work ; but, un- 
fortunately, they are double-action, and while this feature 



MISCELLANEOUS RE VOL VERS. 



79 



may be a desirable point in revolvers for defense, for 
target practice or fine shooting it is a detriment rather 
than an advantage. But this firm also makes a single- 
action with a regular hammer in .38 caliber, in which the 
trigger pull can be brought to a state of smoothness and 
fineness, which, if the arm is handled by a good shot, 
will show excellent work. 

The^Army revolver is made in single and double-action, 




Fig, 62.- 



Fifty consecutive shots, at fifty yards, by Mr. F. E. Bennett. Stevens 
pistol, .22 caliber long-rifle cartridge. X original size. 



with and without the folding hammer. Most of the army 
models are chambered to take the Winchester rifle car- 
tridge, .44 caliber, holding forty grains of powder and 200 
grains of lead. 

The Merwin, Hulbert & Co.'s revolver has been thor- 
oughly tested by the Government Ordnance Board, which 



80 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

reports as follows on its tests of a six-shot, .42 caliber, 
seven-inch barrel revolver, weight two pounds 11|- 
ounces, using a charge of twenty-three grains of powder 
and a 252-grain bullet. 

On the whole, the board regarded it as a very good 
pistol, it having endured the tests in a fairly satisfactory 
manner. 

Revolvers are classed at the present time as follows : — 

Military revolvers, being fitted with a plain, open sight, 
strong enough to stand the rough usage to which the 
arm would naturally be subjected ;. of suitable power to 
kill readily and shooting fixed ammunition which can be 
carried in the belt or proper receptacle. The second is 
the target revolver, which may be of the same pattern as 
the military revolver, but fitted with fine sights, which 
are generally too delicate for rough militaiy work ; a 
lateral wind gauge on the rear sight and an arrangement 
for securing elevations is also permitted on such revolvers. 

The ammunition for these weapons is according to the 
choice of the marksman, frequently being loaded with 
only a light charge, thus doing away with the unpleasant 
recoil, and lessening the liability of excessive fouling 
when firing. The third is the pocket revolver, which 
clubs indulging in shooting with this weapon, class as 
revolvers of not less than .32 caliber, with barrels of four 
inches and under. 



TESTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 



81 



CHAPTER VI. 

TEST OF MILITARY HE VOL VERS BY THE UNITED STATES 

ORDNANCE BOARD. 



In a previous chapter I referred to the action of the 
United States Government in adopting a .38 caliber re- 
volver for the Army and Navy. Prior to adopting the 
Colt revolver, a test was made of a Smith & Wesson .38 
caliber of the hammerless pattern, and a Colt double- 
action revolver of the same caliber, at the United States 
Armory, at Springfield, Mass. The board made the 
following official report : — 

The board appointed to conduct these tests met the first time 
on April 15. By the report it will be seen that the nomenclature 
of component parts of the Smith & Wesson revolver are as 
follows: — 



1. 


Barrel. 


19. 


Joint pivot and screw. 


2. 


Cylinder. ^ 


20. 


Hammer stud. 


3. 


Frame. 


21. 


Firing pin bushing. 


4. 


Stop. 


22. 


Firing pin. 


5. 


Barrel catch. 


23. 


Extractor stud. 


6. 


Safety lever. 


24. 


Eight-hand stock. 


7. 


Guard. 


25. 


Left-hand stock. 


8. 


Side plate. 


26. 


Extractor cam and latch 


9. 


Base pin. 


27. 


Sight. 


10. 


Barrel catch lifter. 


28. 


Split spring. 


11. 


Cylinder hook. 


29. 


Hand spring. 


12. 


Extractor post. 


30. 


Barrel catch spring. 


13. 


Extractor. 


31. 


Firing pin spring. 


14. 


Trigger. 


32. 


Cylinder hook spring. 


15. 


Hammer. 


33. 


Cylinder stop spring. 


16. 


Stock screw. 


34. 


Latch spring. 


17. 


Strain screw. 


35. 


Hand. 


18. 


Short plate screw. 


36. 


Stirrup. 



82 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



37. Front sear. 

38. Extractor spring. 

39. Main spring. 

40. Nut. 



41. Trigger spring. 

42. Barrel catch lifter spring. 

43. Safety latch. 



Also the following pins : — 






44. Cylinder stop spring pin. 


49. 


Firing pin bushing pin 


45. Latch spring pin. 


50. 


Barrel catch lifter pin. 


46. Safety lever pin. 


51. 


Stop pin. 


47. Cylinder hook pin. 


52. 


Latch pin. 


48. Barrel catch pin. 


53. 


Trigger pin. 



The dimensions of the arm are: — 

Total length, 9.23 inches. 

Length of barrel, 5 inches. 

Diameter of bore, .35 inch. 

Number of grooves, 5. 

Kind of grooves, circle of about .36 inch. 

Depth of grooves, .005 inch. 

Grooves, depth, uniform or not ? Uniform. 

Grooves, twist of, one turn in 18.56 mches. 

Grooves, twist, right-handed. 

Grooves, twist, uniform. 

Number of chambers, 5. 

Diameter of chambers, .388 inch. 

Length of cylinder, 1.215 inches. 

Diameter of cylinder, 1.30 inches. 

Total weight, 1 pound, 1690 grains; 1.24142 pounds. 

Weight of powder charge, 15 grains. 

Weight of bullet, 146 grains. 

The nomenclature and dimensions of the Colt revolver are as 



follows : — 






1. Frame cap. 


9. 


Ejector spring. 


2. Cap screws (2). 


10. 


Crane. 


3. Frame. 


11. 


Crane nut. 


4. Kecoil bouching. 


12. 


Crane lock. 


5. Cylinder. 


13. 


Crane lock screw, 


6. Ejector and ratchet. 


14. 


Barrel and sight. 


7. Ejector rod. 


15. 


Latch. 


8. Ejector rod head. 


16. 


Latch spring. 



TESTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 



83 



17. 


Latch pin. 


29. 


18. 


Half stocks (2). 


30. 


19. 


Escutcheons (2). 


31. 


20. 


Stock screws (2). 


32. 


21. 


Stock pin. 


33. 


22. 


Hand. 


34. 


23. 


Hand spring. 


35. 


24. 


Trio^^er. 


36. 


25. 


Trigger pin. 


37. 


26. 


Trigger rebound pin. 


38. 


27. 


Rebound spring. 


39. 


28. 


Rebound lever. 





Rebound spring pin. 
Rebound lever pin. 
Hammer. 
Hammer strut. 
Hammer strut spring. 
Hammer strut spring pin. 
Hammer pin. 
Hammer stirrup. 
Hammer stirrup pin. 
Main spring. 
Strain screw. 



Total length, 11.30 inches. 

Length of barrel, 5.96 inches. 

Diameter of bore, .362 inch. 

Grooves, number of, 6. 

Grooves, kind of, circle of about .58 inch. 

Grooves, depth of, .005 inch. 

Grooves, depth, uniform or not ? Uniform. 

Grooves, twist, right-handed or left-handed ? Left-handed. 

Grooves, twist, uniform, increasing or decreasing? Uniform, 

one turn in 16.02 inches. 
Chambers, number of , 6. 
Cylinder, diameter of, 1.45 inches. 
Total weight, 2 pounds, 112 grains. 
Weight of powder charge, 18 grains. 
Weight of bullet, 150 grains. 

The report of the regular tests, as given by the Report of the 
Chief of Ordnance, is as follows: — 

I Dismounting and Assemhling . 

(1) Find the time required by an ordinary machinist to dismount 
each revolver. 

(2) Find the time required for the same machinist to completely 
assemble the parts of each revolver. 

Every part must be dismounted and assembled, no matter how 
small. 

The dismounting and assembling was performed by Mr. R. T. 
Hare. 



84 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



It was found uecessaiT to send to the manufacturers for special 
drifts and other appliances for dismounting the Smith & Wesson 
revolver ; and only after repeated attempts, and instruction by 
an expert furnished by Smith t!c "Wesson, was Mr. Hare able to 




Fig. 63. — Mr. John L. Fowle, "Woburn, Mass. Amateur Revolver and Pistol Shot. 



mount and dismount the revolver with any degree of facility. 
The large number of parts, the nicety of fit, and the knack re- 
quired in portions of the assembling, would make it impossible, 
the board thinks, for an ordinar}' mechanic to perform this test 
without injuring the revolver. 



TESTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 85 

The Colt revolver was dismounted and assembled by Mr. Hare 
without much difficulty. 

The time taken was as follows: — 

To Dismount. To Mount. 

Smith & Wesson. Minutes. Smith & Wesson. Minutes. 

By expert .... 6 By expert .... 6f 

By Mr. Hare ... 14^ By Mr. Hare ... 39f 

Colt, by Mr. Hare . . 5 Colt, by Mr. Hare . . 7f 

II. — Initial Velocities. 

(1) Take the mean of the initial velocities determined by firing 
ten rounds, Le Boulenge chronograph used. 

(2) Break up ten cartridges and weigh the charges of powder 
and of lead in each, separately. 

Take the means of the weights of the powder and of the lead 
for the charge, which gives the mean initial velocity. Do this 
for each kind of cartridge used. 

Smith & Wesson revolver, mean of charges of powder and lead 
obtained by breaking up ten cartridges: weight of powder, 14.125 
grains; weight of bullet, 146.30 grains; length of barrel, 5."0. 

Colt revolver, mean of charges of powder and lead obtained by 
breaking up ten cartridges: weight of powder, 17.85 grains; 
weight of bullet, 150 grains; length of barrel, 5".9G. 

Velocities at 25 feet from muzzle Smith & Wesson revol- 
ver: 607.2, 624.6, 637.4,645.1,664.8,618.1,661.6,645.9, 607.5, 
613.5, mean 635.5 feet; mean variation, 18.29 feet. 

Colt revolver: 699, 729, 709, 738, 718, 733, 700, 743, 728, 730; 
mean 722.7 feet; mean variation, 12.96 feet. 

III. — Penetration and Becoil. 
Find the penetration and recoil by means of the pendulum recoil 
frames. As no suitable pendulum recoil frames were available, 
the board decided to omit this test. The theoretical recoil for the 

2 

V w 

revolvers computed by means of the formula ^= (page 112, 

2gW 

Eeport Chief of Ordnance, 1878) is as follows: Smith & Wesson, 
2.1889 foot pounds; Colt, 1.8516 foot pounds. The theoretical 
recoil for the Colt service .45 caliber is 3.89 foot pounds. 



86 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



ly. — Tests for Accuracy. 

(1) Fire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant 
twenty-five yards. 

(2) Eire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant 100 
yards. 

(3) Find the mean absolute deviation in each case. 
The revolvers were operated by Mr. R. T. Hare. 

Range, Twenty-five Yards. 



Revolver. 



Smith & Wesson 
Colt 

Smith & Wesson 
Colt 



^_ . 






4^ 


c3 a 


t— 1 rt 


x^ 




cu g c3 


Ran 
tica 
atio 


.2 ^-^ 03 

^t; o 


■d ;H.r: 






CS P ri 


C3 © !K 

o o 


Inches, 


Inches. 


Inches. 


Inches. 


.78 


.68 


1.18 


.86 


1.37 


.78 


1.68 


1.28 



^ 0) 95 
C« i M 



Inches. 



2.44 

2.52 



Range, 100 Yards. 



2.56 
4.88 



3.60 



4.91 
10.11 



3.84 
7.76 



7.50 
23.90 



In these tests, two bullets from the Colt revolver keyholed 
badly. 

Y. — Penetration in Fine Butts. 
Fire five rounds into pine butts distant 100 yards, and take a 
mean of the five penetrations. 

Mean of Five Penetrations. 
Smith & Wesson revolver, 3^ inches; Colt revolver, 3f inches. 



VI. — Bapidity of Loading^ Firing, and Ejecting. 
(Revolvers operated by Mr. R. T. Hare.) 
Find the time required to fire eighteen rounds, commenciug 
and ending with the chambers emjDty. 

Smith & Wesson revolver, minutes 52^ seconds. 
Colt revolver, one minute thirteen seconds. 
Twenty rounds were fired from the Smith & Wesson revolver 
in fifty-four seconds. 



TIJSTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 



87 



VII Endurance. 

Fire 250 rouads, allowing the revolver five minutes to cool 
after every fifty rounds. (Kevolvers operated by Mr. R. T. Hare.) 

Colt Revolver Early in the test the rebound spring proved 

too weak always to turn the trigger forward after the discharge 




Fig. 64, — Lieut. Sumner Paine, Boston. Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. 



of the revolver. In a large number of cases the trigger had to 
be pushed forward by the fingers. Otherwise revolver worked 
well. 

Smith & Wesson Revolver On the 104th round, the hand 

would not revolve the cylinder, the mechanism being clogged 
with fouling. The cylinder was slipped off and wiped and re- 



88 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

placed, wheu the revolver worked perfeeth'. The same difficulty 
occurred on the 140th rouud. The cylinder was removed as be- 
fore, and the clogged parts more carefully wiped than in the 
preceding instance, when the revolver worked well during the 
remainder of the test. 

VIII. — Fouling. 

Let the revolver remain forty-eight hours without cleaning; 
after which fire lift}' rounds, allowing it five minutes to cool after 
the twelfth, twenty-fourth, and thirty-sixth rounds. 

Smith ^S: Wesson Eeat^lvek Cylinder clogged as in preced- 
ing test, and would not revolve. It was slipped off as before and 
wiped off, as was the rear of barrel. I>uriug the remainder of 
the test the revolver worked well. 

Colt Kevolvee. — The rebound spring would not turn the trig- 
ger forward during the opening rounds of each series. One failure 
of the cylinder to revolve occurred. The revolver was opened 
and shut again by the operator, when the cylinder revolved freely. 

IX.— Dust. 

(1) The revolver to be carefully cleaned and then shaken in 
fine dust, after which it is brushed oft' with the hand and fired 
twelve rounds. 

(2) Dust again in the same manner, in order to ascertain the 
combined effects of dusting and fouling; then fire six rounds. 

Smith i!v: AVesson revolver. — (1) In two instances it was neces- 
sary to give an extra pull to the trigger to make the cylinder 
revolve. 

(2) The revolver worked well. 

Colt revolver (1) At the sixth round the revolver refused to 

work as a double-action revolver, and it was necessary to cock the 
hammer by hand. 

(2) Revolver still disabled as a double-action revolver, but could 
be worked by cocking hammer with hand. In several instances 
the cylinder would not revolve without considerable assistance. 

X.—J^ust. 
(1) After cleaning, remove all oil and immerse in a solution of 
sal-ammoniac for ten minutes, and expose for forty-eight hours. 



TESTS FOR MILITARY REVOLVERS. 



89 



(2) Fire twelve rounds. 

(3) Without cleaning, load the revolver and immerse for ten 
minutes as before, and again expose for forty-eight hours. 

(4) Tire eighteen rounds. 

(5) Dismount, examine, and clean. 

Both revolvers were boiled in a solution of potash to remove 
oil, and left over night to diy. They were then rusted as above. 




Fig. 65.— Mr. Benjamin Diniock, Haverhill, Mass. Amatcui i'istol Shot. 



Smith & Wesson revolver On taking the revolver out of the 

solution, the mainspring was found to be broken. The revolver 
was well rusted. Considerable rapping with a mallet was neces- 
sary to make the barrel catch and cylinder hook operate, and the 



90 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

safety lever would noc perform its functions until after some 
amount of manipulation. The mainspring was replaced by 
another one, and twelve rounds were fired from the revolver 
without difiiculty. 

Colt revolver. — The revolver was found to be well rusted, but 
the mechanism operated freely, and the twelve shots were fired 
without the use of the mallet being necessary. The cylinder 
had to be assisted to revolve once, and the rebound spring failed 
to push the trigger forward three times. 

The revolvers were not loaded before the next immersion, on 
account of the danger involved, and instead of plugging the 
chambers with corks as before, empty cartridge shells were in- 
serted. Both revolvers were thoroughly rusted when taken out 
of the solution. 

Smith & "Wesson revolver The barrel catch was tightly 

cemented, and opened only after long-continued efforts. The 
hammer would not operate, and on taking off the side plate and 
a half stock, the mainspring (a new one, replacing the one broken 
in the first part of the test) was found to be broken. It was 
replaced by a new one. The firing-pin spring and pin were 
tightly rusted, so that the spring would not operate to return the 
pin. The hand would not revolve the cylinder, and on further 
inspection it was found that the trigger spring was broken. 

More than an hour and a half was consumed in trying to 
operate this revolver. As much of the rust as possible was 
rubbed off with rags, and water was used upon it freely, but all 
efforts proving fruitless, the revolver was laid aside as disabled. 

Colt revolver. — The cylinder could not be swung outwards 
without aid from the blows of a mallet. Cartridges could not 
be inserted until the chambers were cleaned from rust. Eighteen 
rounds were fired without much difficulty, using the revolver as a 
double-action revolver. The rebound spring failed to push the 
trigger forward in every case, and had to be assisted by the 
operator's hand. In two cases (ninth and tenth rounds) the hand 
would not revolve the cylinder without assistance. 

Both revolvers were then dismounted, examined, thoroughly 
cleaned, and assembled. 



TESTS FOR MILITARY REVOLVERS. 



91 



REMARKS. 

Smith & Wesson Bevolver. 

Captain Hall, in his letter, twice speaks of this revolver as 
having a six-inch barrel. The manufacturers state that a five- )C 




Fig. 66. — Major Charles W. Hinman. Revolver and Pistol Expert. 



00 model. The multiplicity of parts and their nicety of fit make 
it almost impossible for any one, not a skilled and instructed 

>^ inch barrel is the longest that has ever been supplied with this *** 
mechanic, to dismount and assemble the arm and replace broken 
parts, without marring or impairing the arm. 



92 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

On the other hand, the locating the hammer and lock mechanism 
entirely within the frame, renders the arm less liable to accidental 
injuries, and prevents the parts from clogging from dust and rust. 
The cylinder is easily removed and replaced, and the parts where 
fouling accumulates are easily accessible. The revolver stood all 
the tests very well, up to the last rust test; and with the most 
ordinarj' care a revolver could be prevented from becoming rusted 
to such an extent. In this test, however, the arm was totally 
disabled. Two mainsprings were broken in this test, which 
would seem to imply that their temper was too high. 

Great stress has always been laid upon certain defects in the 
Smith & Wesson system which would develop especially in a 
military arm. A revolver board, convened in 1876, speaks of the 
system thus: " The efficienc}^ of any revolver of this model must 
depend in great measure upon the accuracy with which its joints 
are made and broken. Certain distances must not only be made 
exact, but must remain invariable, and it is believed impossible 
to preserve the latter condition with the rough usage of the ser- 
vice." The Smith & Wesson revolver tested by this board failed 
in the rust test, and the report goes on to sa}^: " The severe rust- 
ing test, given by the board, resulted in showing how readily this 
model may become unserviceable, and this test is not regarded as 
a more severe trial of the arm than would frequently be experi- 
enced in the service." 

Captain Hall makes the following special claims for the arm: — 

(1) A revolver cocked with the forefinger has a great advan- 
tage over one cocked with the thumb. In cocking a revolver 
with the thumb, its position in the hand is rendered very insecure 
at the instant the thumb is changed from the hammer to the 
stock, and this insecurity is so increased in cold weather as to 
render a premature discharge probable, and greatly diminish the 
rapidity and accuracy of fire. 

The board thinks that these points seem to be well taken, and 
certainly Captain Hall's reputation as an expert pistol shot should 
give his opinion great weight. This claim will apply equally 
well to the Colt, as it is a double-action revolver. 

(2) The Smith & Wesson revolver under discussion has an 
advantage over all other revolvers cocked with the forefinger, in 
the fact that there is an indication in the pull which informs the 
shooter when the cartridge is to be struck. This new and novel 



TESTS FOR MILITARY REVOLVERS. 



93 



device renders this revolver equal, if not superior, to all others, 
even as a target pistol. 

Tlie board concurs with Captain Hall in thinking that this 
indication in the pull is a decided advantage. 



^i^mm 




rig.:67. — Sergt. J. J. Mouutjoy, Pliiladelpliia, Penii. Amateur Pistol Shot. 



(3) The revolver has also a safety device in the stock which 
prevents it from being fired unless the handle is grasped. 

The board recognizes the advantage of the safety device, but 
thinks that by its use accidents will only be partially avoided. A 
great number of premature discharges take place when the handle 
of the revolver is grasped by the soldier. 

The workmanship of the revolver leaves nothing to be desired, 
and the accuracy of shooting is most satisfactory. Whether it 
will stand the rough usage of the service, is another question, and 



94 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

in this connection Captain Hall states he has had two of these 
arms for more than a year, " fired 2,000 or 3,000 rounds from 
them, and snapi3ed them over 5,000 times, without either getting 
out of repair a single time, and has carried them on his saddle 
in the field for two months of the time." The cartridges used 
worked well in every respect, and have the great advantage 
of having the lubricant covered by the cartridge shell instead of 
being placed on the exposed portion of the bullet. 

Colt Revolver. 

This revolver has the great advantage of possessing a solid 
frame, and this is combined with the feature of simultaneous 
ejection of cartridges, though the ejection is not automatic, as in 
the Smith & Wesson. The principal defect developed in this arm 
was the weakness of the rebound spring, which in many cases 
would not turn the trigger forward after the discharge of the re- 
volver. The substitution of a stronger spring or the addition of 
a strain screw would remedy this defect. Several failures of the 
hand to revolve the cylinder were noted, and on dismounting the 
revolver a large amount of dirt and fouling was found in one case 
between the hand and hand spring. 

This revolver does not possess the safety device of the Smith & 
Wesson, and is thereby more liable to accidental discharges when 
the handle is not grasped in the hand. It lacks the hammerless 
feature of the Smith & Wesson, but in spite of the hammer not 
being located entirely within the frame, it showed a decided 
superiority in the rust test. Moreover, having a hammer, it can 
be used as a single-action revolver when its double-acting mech- 
anism is disabled, as shown in the " dust test," and the board 
thinks this a decided advantage. There are no very delicate 
parts, and suitable provisions are made against accidents. The 
cylinder cannot be swung outwards unless the hammer is at 
safety, and the trigger and hammer are locked unless the cylinder 
is in the proper position for firing. The hand holds the cylinder 
after it has reached its position for filing until the arm is dis- 
charged, thus acting as a stop bolt and preventing carr3-iug b}'. 
In accuracy the revolver showed itself infeiior to the Smith & 
Wesson, and two of the bullets fired keyholed, one at twenty-five 
yards' distance. 

The ammunition used, the board considers to be greatly inferior 



TES TS FOR MILITAR Y RE VOL VERS. 9 5 

to that used in the Smith & Wesson revolver. The outside lubri- 
cation used on the bullets was productive of much fouling, and 
there was great difficulty at times in forcing the cartridges into 
the chambers. The board very much prefers a cartridge where 
the lubricant is covered by the case. 

CONCLUSIOIS^'S. 

The board would state that the Smith & Wesson revolver has 
passed all the tests satisfactorily except the rust test, in which it 
was totally disabled. The Colt revolver has passed all the tests 
satisfactorily except the dust test, in which it was disabled as a 
double-action revolver, but could be worked satisfactorily by 
cocking the hammer as in a single-action revolver. Whether 
these arms have the necessary stopping power, the board has no 
means of determining. The board is of the opinion that the 
issue of a limited number of each of these arms would be advan- 
tageous, as affording a comparison between the double-acting 
system and the single-action system in use in the service. Each 
of the revolvers possesses advantages peculiar to itself, and a 
competitive test in service would be necessary to determine 
definitely which is the superior. 

l^ATiONAL Armory, 
Spri:n^gfield, Mass., June 22, 1889. 

The board met at the call of the president at 10 A. M. Present, 
both the members. The double-action .38 caliber, navy revolver, 
previously tested and reported upon by the board, was resubmitted 
by the Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, with a 
request that it be tested for accuracy with the new .38 caliber 
long Colt's central-fire cartridges, manufactured by the Union 
Metallic Cartridge Company, Bridgeport, Conn., the lubricant 
being placed in cannelures covered by the cartridge shell; 150 of 
these cartiidges were furnished with the revolver. A stronger 
rebound spring had been substituted for the one previously used 
in the revolver, as recommended by the board; this was the only 
alteration made. The revolver was subjected to the usual test 
for accuracy, as follows: — 

Accuracy. 

(1) Eire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant twenty- 
five yards. 



96 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



(2) Fire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant 100 
yards. 

(3) Find the mean absolute deviation in each case. 

The revolvers were operated by Mr. K. T. Hare, and two targets 
of ten shots each were taken at each range. The targets compared 
as follows with those made in the previous test, when cartridges 
with outside lubrication were used. 

Range, 25 Yards. 

[18 grains powder, 150-grain bullet in both tests.] 













4^ 




c« fl 


_ fl 


CM 


ri • 


^ ^ ' 








CO o . 
5 ^, «2 


CO *-^ CC 

.2 o o 


CO 01 CO 




0^ S c« 


O) +J cs 


'^'S o 


'« ^H^ 


'^ ii^ 




M 

hori. 
devi 






CS OJ t» 






Inches. 


Inches. 


Inches. 


Inches. 


Inches. 


May 2. Cartridges with 












outside lubrication 


1.37 


.78 


1.68 


1.28 


2.52 


June 22. Cartridges 












with inside lubri- 












cation 












1st target .... 


.80 


.948 


1.41 


1.40 


2.96 


2d target .... 


.95 


.98 


1.46 


1.13 


3.04 



Range, 100 Yards. 



May 2.Cartridges with 












outside lubrication 


4.88 


8 


10.11 


7.76 


23.90 


June 22. Cartridges 












with inside lubri- 












cation 


3.68 


2.14 


4.46 


3.58 


8.50 


1st target .... 


2.80 


3.29 


4.71 


3.44 


7.60 


2d target .... 













During the test the revolver worked well in every particular, and 
no keyholing of bullets was observed. The substitution of a 
stronger rebound spring did not seem to appreciably increase 
the trigger pull. By an inspection of the targets made, it appears 
that the accuracy at twenty-five j^ards is about the same as in the 
previous test. The accuracy at 100 yards, however, shows a de- 
cided improvement, and this though the conditions of firing were 
rather unfavorable, a fresh breeze blowing during the practice. 



TARGET REVOLVERS. ^7 

CHAPTER VII. 

TARGET REVOLVERS. 

There is no difference between the military and the 
target revolver, excepting the sights and the trigger pull. 
The target revolver generally shoots the same ammunition ; 
but by the fine sights at the muzzle end, a wind gauge at 
the breech, and a smooth, light trigger pull, the marksman 
is greatly aided in doing fine shooting. 

Nearly all revolvers and pistols have sights affixed to 
the barrels, which are very properly supposed by purchasers 
to aid them in hitting the object at which they shoot. In 
many cases the sights on pistols and revolvers are very 
little, if any, aid to the shooter. Persons unfamiliar with 
these firearms, when they test a new pistol or revolver, 
generally commence by aiming at the object desired to 
hit ; and if their holding is good, they are likely to find the 
shots grouped quite a distance above the object aimed at. 
The heavier the charge and lighter the arm, the greater the 
flip or kick-up. The shooter, when he observes this result, 
generally corrects the fault by holding under the object, 
and some wonderfully good shooting has been done by 
aiming eighteen or twenty inches under the target or 
bullseye. Good shooting under the above conditions 
however, is generally at known distance with some guide 
below the bullseye to enable the marksmen to gauge the 
amount of allowance regularly. 

When Chevalier Ira Paine gave his first exhibition of 
revolver shooting at fifty yards, at the range of the Massa- 
chusetts Rifle Association, he fired a few sighting shots 
before commencing his 100 shots, and found that his 
elegant .44 caliber Russian model Smith & Wesson re- 



98 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 68. — Ten shots at 1214 yards with .22 caliber Gould model Stevensipistol, 
by Mr. "W. E. Carlin, New,,York. 




Fig. 69. — Six shots at twelve yards with .44 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, 
round bullet, by Mr. W. E. Carlin, New York. 





Fig. 70.— Two scores of six shots each, at twelve yards, with .44 caliber Smith & 
Wesson revolver, by Mr. W. E. Carlin, New York. 



TARGET REVOLVERS. 



99 



volver, which was perfectly sighted for about twelve yards, 
when using the light loads and round ball, with the heavy, 



b 





JDR». 



5c^i»e«t .•-~-*i^U 




^ 



Fig. 71. — Mr. E. E. Patridge. Winner of Boston Athletic Revolver and Pistol 

Championsliip, 1892. 



or full charge, shot eighteen inches over the buUseye. 
He asked permission to place a spot some distance below 
the bullseye, which was given ; but as he had only a 



100 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

few sighting shots to judge the difference in the elevation 
between the two cartridges, he did not score what he 
proved he was capable of doing at a second exhibition. 
In his second trial he used the same revolver but with a 
different sight, which enabled him to aim directly at the 

buUseye. 

I have witnessed considerable revolver shooting, and 
not a little in a section of this country where the arm 
was carried for protection. After many practice shoots 
I have heard shooters remark, " Any one of these shots 
would have hit a man "; thus the writer formed the im- 
pression that many persons who carry revolvers are 
content with an arm which, when fired, would hit the size 
of a man. On the supposition that this is the case, it is 
not strange that so httle has been done until recently to 
improve the accuracy of the revolver by correctly sighting 
it. The sights which are attached to some revolvers shoot 
over from six to thirty inches when fired from twenty to 
sixty yards. If the charge is much reduced the sights ■ 
which come on the revolver can be used in aiming directly 
at the object desired to hit ; but with a full, heavy charge 
the over-shooting mentioned is experienced. 

The accompanying illustrations show, approximately, 
the difference required in shooting a Smith & Wesson 

Russian model .44 caliber 
^==1 revolver with a light and a 

^ < ^'^——-^ , heavy charge. 

f^^^ ^^ ■ T zz.r::^^^! ^ig. 72 shows thc targct 

sight which is attached to this 

revolver when purchased. If 

a sight of this height is used 

^. ^^ with the full charge at fifty 

Fig. 72. ^ 

yards, and a sight taken 
on the bullseye at six o'clock, if held properly, the 



TARGET REVOLVERS. 101 

bullet will strike about eighteen inches over the bullseye. 
The same result will be experienced with the plain, open 
sight which comes on this favorite arm, as well as with 
most of the other revolvers of American make of large cali- 
ber. If, however, the shooter desires to use a light charge 
of ten to fifteen grains of powder, he will find this sight 
approximately correct in regard to height. As many of 
the finest shots prefer to use the full charge, desiring to 
practice with a practical charge, such as they would use 
in warfare or defense, and knowing that, if properly held, 
it will give fine results, they procure another sight, similar 
in shape, but higher, as shown in Fig. 73. This additional 
height depresses the muzzle 

of the barrel, and counteracts »■ j 

the flip or kick-up, and the J^^^^^^ 

shooter can sight directly at ^ f 

the bullseye at a distance of ' I 

fifty yards. ( 

The front sight most fa- >^^^^^^^;^^;^^^^^^^^^^=;^^^:^^^=^=^^^;^:^:^:;;: 

vored by expert shots at the | 

present time for target shoot- Fig. 73. 

ing, is shown in Figs. 72 and 

73, and the rear sight as shown in Fig. 74. The^latter has a 
semicircular notch to draw the top of the front sight into. 
This style of sight was adopted by Messrs. Smith & 
Wesson, it giving the effect of a pin- 
head sight. Some good shots prefer a 
fine, plain front sight, with a square 
top, and some use a straight bar with- 
out a notch, but a platinum line in the center for a rear 
sight. 

There is an ivory bead front sight adapted to revolvers 
made by Mr. William Lyman, of Middlefield, Conn., 
which is highly commended by those who have used it, 



Fig. 74. 



102 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

this sight being especially recommended for hunting 
pistols. It is shown in accompanying illustration. 




Fig. 75. —Lyman Ivory Tipped Front Sight for pistols or revolvers. 

An improvement in the rear sight is made by dovetail- 
ing a lateral sliding bar across the barrel clutch of the 
Smith & Wesson revolvers, which makes an effective 
wind gauge. Those desiring to test the accuracy of re- 
volvers at a rest can do so very effectually by attaching 
to the rear sight a piece of thin metal, to convert the 
semicircle notch into a round aperture, which with a tem- 
porary aperture front sight, or the pin head sight, enables 
the tester to obtain a clear sight, which is quite difficult 
when shooting in this manner at rest with open front and 
rear sights, which are so near together. 

The sights I have here described are only fit for fine 
target shooting ; they would not be suitable for a military 
or even a pocket revolver. For such arms, plain, solid 
sights are recommended, such as are not likely to interfere 
in drawing pistol or revolver from a holster or a pocket. 

There are several ways of taking sight with a pistol or a 
revolver. It is believed that a majority of the best shots 
draw a very fine bead on the front-sight, and touch the 
object aimed at, at the lower part of the bullseye at six 
o'clock. Other good shots prefer to place the sight on 
the object, or on the bullseye, while still others place 
the sight over the object or the bullseye, and see the 



TARGET REVOLVERS. 



103 



tip at twelve o'clock. It is believed that those who 
sight at the lower or bottom of the object aimed at, 




Fig. 76. — Dr. Louis Bell. Amateur Revolver and Pistol Shot. First winner of 
Winans' trophy with revolver. New York, 1892. 



possess more advantages ; but the shooter should try the 
several ways, and, as soon as satisfied of his preference, 
adhere firmly to one manner of sighting, if permissible. 
It will be found that different makes and lots of ammu- 



104 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 77, — Ten shots at fifty yards by Mr. H. S. Harris. Shot at Walnut Hill, 
Mass, Dec. 31, 1890, with a Stevens Pistol, Diamond model with a ten-inch .22 
caliber barrel. Ammunition, U. M. C. Co.'s long-rifle. 




Fig. 78. — Ten shots at fifty yards by Mr. H. S. Harris. Shot at Walnut Hill, 

Mass., Jan. 6, 1894, with a Stevens Diamond Model Pistol with a ten-inch 

barrel and U. M. C. Co. .22 caliber, long-rifle cartridges. 



Two of the best known ten shot scores at fifty yards with pistol on Standard 
American target. Targets reduced to one quarter original size. 



TARGET REVOLVERS. 



105 



nition vary considerably, affecting elevations; different 
weather conditions also affect elevations. This will be 




Fig. 79. —Position adopted in Pistol Firing by Mr. Henry S. Harris, Pistol 
Champion of Massachusetts, 1893. 



perceived with a few shots, and the error corrected by tak- 
ing a finer or coarser sight. 



106 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

There is also made by Messrs. Smith & Wesson a rear 
elevating and wind gauge sight for pistols and revolvers, 
which is a great improvement over any heretofore placed 
on the market. It seems to be a difficult thing to 
perfect a revolver sight, as several firms who have been 
endeavoring to accomplish it for some time past know. 
With heavy charges it is desirable to depress the barrel 
or lower the elevation, rather than raise ; while with 
light charges, as you increase your distance, you are 
obliged to raise your rear sight. A very high front sight, 
which is necessary for the large charges, is considered un- 
symmetrical by manufacturers ; and until some ingenious 
person devises a means of raising and lowering the front 
sight of a revolver, the person who desires to shoot several 
kinds of ammunition accurately in one revolver, and at 
various distances, must carry about with him several front 
sights of various heights which will interchange. 



POCKET REVOLVERS, 107 



CHAPTER VIII. 

POCKET REVOLVERS. 

A POCKET revolver, as the name implies, is a revolver 
possessing sufficient compactness to be carried with con- 
venience in the pockets of one's clothing. There are but 
few concerns in America manufacturing large revolvers, 
but many produce what is classed as a pocket revolver. 

For many years an impression prevailed that all revolvers 
were inaccurate, pocket revolvers especially so. Several 
years ago I undertook to prove that American marks- 
men could shoot revolvers about as accurately as they 
could some of the most famous dueling pistols of home or 
foreign manufacture. 

I think I hazard little in claiming all I undertook to 
do was accomplished. At the beginning of my work there 
were two revolvers — the Smith and Wesson and the Colt, — 
which were as perfect in construction as it seemed possible 
to make by the highest mechanical skill, and which, in the 
opinion of firearm experts, possess special points of merit 
for special work. These two makes of revolvers, in large 
calibers, .44 and .45, in my opinion, are the highest types 
of this class of firearms in the world. 

At the time I commenced my investigations, ammunition 
for these revolvers was much inferior to what it is at the 
present time. The old outside lubricated cartridges have 
given place largely to those of inside lubrication, and thus 
the even distribution of lubricant has increased the accuracy 
of the revolvers using them. 

With the improvement in cartridges, the skill of marks- 



108 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



men developed, until, at the present time, there are, in 
America, amateur revolver shots from Maine to California, 




Fig. 80. — Fiftv consecutive shots at twelve yards, by'an ordinary marksman, | 
■oith a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Pocket Revolver, 3^4 inch barrel, 
V. M. C. Co., ammunition. 



who possess skill of the highest order with revolvers of 
.44 and .45 caliber. 

It has been shown that both revolver and ammunition 
of large caliber are accurate. But is the pocket revolver 
accurate and reliable ? Many who are forced by the fine 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 109 

shooting of the large revolvers to admit their accuracy, 
still insist that the small revolvers, — pocket revolvers, — 
are inaccurate, and it is impossible to do fine work with 
them. 

I long ago gave a veiy thorough test to pocket revolvers, 
but hesitated to chronicle my results, as I hoped for an 
opportunity to compare others' work with my own before 
so doing. While gathering material for this volume I had 
the co-operation of a number of gentlemen interested in 
pistol shooting, which has enabled me to compare their 
views with my own, and a somewhat extended test of 
various pocket revolvers has furnished what seems to be 
instructive data for those interested in these arms. 

My first object was to learn definitely what should con- 
stitute a pocket revolver. It was found that if those arms 
which could be carried in the pocket were reorganized as 
such, there would be certain arms called pocket revolvers 
which would give special advantages to those who com- 
peted with such arms in contests of skill. It is known to 
those familiar with revolver shooting that it is easier to 
shoot accurately a heavy revolver with a light charge and 
a long barrel, than with a heavy charge in a light arm and 
a short barrel. The first arm is the more accurate, and 
easier to do fine work with. 

It should here be stated that a pocket revolver should 
be kept in the list of practical weapons. It is chiefly a 
weapon of defense, and proficiency with it is desirable to 
give greater protection to the individuals possessing it. I 
would like to emphasize the word practical ; for as I look 
back and see how the uses of large caliber revolvers have 
been misapplied, I feel that revolver shooting to-day is, 
to a great extent, misrepresentation. There are many 
exceedingly fine shots posing before the world as expert 
revolver shots, who have gained their reputations wholly 



110 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

by shooting tiny charges of powder and a light bullet 
from an arm originally made for a practical charge. Such 
shooting, I have often stated, in my opinion, should always 
be classed as pistol shooting, and revolver shooting recog- 
nized only when shot with ammunition for which the 
revolver is made and within a specified time. 

I believe, if pocket-revolver shooting is to become 
popular, if there are to be contests of skill with that arm, 
there should be clear and explicit understanding of what 
constitutes such an arm. I can perceive, at this time, 
that this is no easy task ; and if this question is now settled 
it will not be likely to be adhered to, for with many the 
practicability of such an arm would not be considered if 
an advantage could be secured in a departure enabling a 
target shooter to make a higher score. 

The most important points to determine are the maxi- 
mum length of barrel, the weight of the arm, the minimum 
bore allowed, and the ammunition permitted. 

The question of the length of barrel is an important 
one. It is generally known that every quarter inch of a 
revolver barrel, up to the length it is possible to use, is 
advantageous. It is therefore a question of how long 
can a barrel be, and the arm carried in the pocket. At a 
meeting of most of those who shoot pistols and revolvers 
in Boston and vicinity, it was unanimously the opinion 
that no longer barrel than four inches should be permitted ; 
a majority favored that length of barrel as a maximum, 
and I recommend such. A barrel 3J inches in length 
is preferred by some, as being easier to carry in the 
pocket. Below 3|- inches the loss in accuracy and the 
unreliability is quickly apparent. 

The bore of a pocket revolver is about as important as 
the length of barrel. Here is where the practicability of 
the pocket revolver is made conspicuous. It does not 



POCKET KEVOLVERS. Ill 

matter how large a bore is permitted, for the length of 
barrel and limit of weight will, to a great extent, govern 
that question ; but it is important to establish a minimum 




Fig. 81. — Fifty consecutive shots at twelve yards, by Mr. W. W. Bennett, vrith a 
Smith & Wesson Pocket Revolver, .38 caliber, 31/4 inch barrel, U. M. C. Co. 

ammunition. 



of bore. Some marksmen, with an inclination to jockey- 
ing, might select a .22 caliber revolver in the heaviest 
frame permitted, with the maximum length of barrel, and 
perhaps thus gain an impractical but advantageous arm 



112 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

for target practice, but a very poor weapon for defense. 
There are a number of pistol shooters who advocate 
making the minimum caliber .38, but I think a majority 
prefer .32 caliber. 

My own opinion, on the question of calibers, is that .38 
is the more practical caliber, but .32 is an arm easier to 
shoot, and the average person can make finer scores with 
the latter. 

The weight of an arm must be considered; chiefly to 
guard against that intolerable nuisance, the shooting 
jockey. He might resort to the questionable practice of 
cutting off the barrel of a .3 2- .44 Smith & Wesson 
Russian model revolver, or even the full .44 Russian 
model, and use the light gallery loads, and thus have an 
accurate target revolver, but a very unwieldy pocket 
revolver. 

The heaviest revolver which would properly be classed 
as a pocket revolver is the Colt, which weighs twenty- 
three ounces ; this arm has a barrel 3J inches long. I 
think this should be the limit of weight permitted, though 
some claim the weight should be extended to twenty-five 
ounces to permit a four-inch barrel in this make of 
revolver. 

In regard to ammunition, I think none but factory 
cartridges should be permitted, for the reason that light 
loads are likely to be used in reloaded cartridges. Pro- 
vision also should be made to prevent the use of a reduced 
factory cartridge. I can foresee that, if shooting with a 
pocket revolver becomes popular, there would be a call 
for gallery loads in .32 and .38 caliber ; and when re- 
sponded to, the gallery hero would shoot persistently, 
until a phenomenal score was made, which would be held 
up for the inspection of the world as what can be done 
with a pocket revolver. 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 



113 



A well made revolver is a safe, accurate, and reliable 
weapon in the hands of a cool person. An element of 
danger exists always with excitable persons who handle 
firearms, and a short-barreled pistol or revolver is more 
dangerous than any other firearm, when carelessly handled. 




^'"Z^sr 






Fig. 82. — Mr. F. O. Young. Pistol and Revolver Shot, San Francisco, Cal. 



A first-class revolver is a safe weapon to handle by a 
careful person, but a poorly made revolver is the most 
dangerous of all firearms, even in the hands of careful 
persons. It is a noticeable fact that the beautiful revolvers 
of Smith & Wesson, the Colt Company, and such con- 
cerns bear simply the names of the makers ; the cheap, 
worthless trash are stamped with the most high-sounding 



114 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

names which immediately brands them to the expert as 
worthless articles. 

In looking over the various American revolvers, I 
could find none I considered worth testing but of the 
following make : Smith & Wesson, Colt's Patent Fire- 
arms Manufacturing Company, American Arms Company, 
Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Co., Marlin Firearms 
Company, and John P. Lovell Arms Company. 

A test of revolvers produced by the above manufact- 
urers was conducted at the range of the Massachusetts 
Rifle Association at Walnut Hill, . under the following 
conditions : — 

Five expert pistol shots were engaged to do the shooting. 
The distance at which the arms were shot was twenty-five 
yards, and the target shot on was the center of the 100- 
yard rifle target, with the bullseye and circles out to and 
including the four circle. This center is thirteen inches 
in diameter ; but believing that the revolvers would be 
poorly sighted, it was thought necessary to have a larger 
target to catch the shots, therefore this center was pasted 
in the middle of a square piece of pasteboard, in size 28 x 28 
inches, which made the whole target the same size as is 
used in pistol and revolver shooting at Walnut Hill, at a 
range of fifty yards. Two racks were used, into which 
the targets were slipped, enabling one to change targets 
expeditiously. Two hundred new targets on clean pieces 
of pasteboard were arranged for this test, and every group 
of shots was fired at a clean target. 

The question of how to do the shooting was submitted 
to the shooting experts. Should the shooting be done at 
a rest, in such manner as to make known the possibilities 
of revolvers and ammunition ; or should it be done in 



I 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 115 

the usual off-hand style as in matches ? It was the opinion 
of the shooting experts that the latter mode should be 
adopted. It should therefore be borne in mind that the 
results represent both possibilities of arms and ammunition 
and skill of the shooters ; but every man taking part in 




Fig. 83.— Fifty consecutive shotsratTtwelve^yards, bylMr. W.^W. Bennett with a 
Smith & Wesson Pocket Revolver, .38 caliber, 3V4 inch barrel, U. JVC. C. Co. 

ammunition. 



the shooting possesses skill sufficient to shoot frequently 
into the nineties in ten shots at fifty yards on the Stand- 
ard American 200-yard rifle target, with a pistol. 



116 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Two days were taken to do the shooting, five men 
shooting most of the .38 calibers, and four the .32 calibers, 
a separate day being given to each. 

When testing the revolvers, the arms were arranged 
on a table. On a bench near by was the ammunition, 
supplied by the three different companies ; viz., the 
Union Metallic Cartridge Company, Winchester Repeat- 
ing Arms Company, and the United States Cartridge 
Company. 

Each company manufacturing the* revolvers and the 
ammunition was invited to send a representative to wit- 
ness the shooting, and to take part in it. Owing to a 
very heavy rain on the night before and on the morning 
of the test, a number of those invited failed to appear ; 
but representatives from the Union Metallic Cartridge 
Company, and the United States Cartridge Company 
were present ; the shooting expert of the latter company 
assisting in the shooting, while the representative of the 
Union Metallic Cartridge Company was busy making 
careful notes. There were also present several expert rifle 
and pistol shots. The weather conditions were good for 
shooting on both days. 

After an explanation of the manner of conducting the 
test had been given, a .38 caliber revolver was taken 
from the lot and loaded by the one conducting the test, 
and handed to one of the shooters, who did not know the 
make of ammunition he was shooting. The shooter pro- 
ceeded to the firing-point, and with the greatest care fired 
the five shots. The target was then removed, brought to 
the shooting pavilion, and marked. In the meantime the 
revolver was carefully cleaned, and loaded with five shots 
of another make of ammunition. The shooter then fired 
five more shots, on a clean target, after which the target 
was removed and marked, the pistol again loaded and 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 



117 



charged with another make of ammunition, and shot by 
the same marksman for a third time. When one man 
had shot a certain make of revolver five rounds with the 





Fig. 84. — Group of fifty consecutive shots at twelve yards, with Smith & Wesson 
.38 caliber Pocket Revolver, '6}i inch barrel. 



different makes of ammunition, that arm was put into the 
hands of another expert, and shot by him the same as the 
first man shot. Thus the line of revolvers was tested ; and 
had it not been for some of the arms being withdrawn, 
each man would have fired fifteen shots from each re- 
volver, or 105 shots with the .38 calibers, making a 
total of 525 shots from the .38 caliber revolvers. 



118 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

There were entered on the list of the .88 calibers the 
following revolvers : — 
Smith & Wesson, single-action. 

" " double-action. 

Colt double-action. 

American Arms Company, single and double-action. 
Marlin, double-action. 
Lovell (Swift), double-action. 

In .32 calibers : — 
Smith & Wesson, single-action. 

" " double-action. 

American Arms Company, single and double-action. 
Hopkins & Allen, double-action. 
Marlin Patent Firearms Company, double-action- 

The action of the Smith & Wesson revolvers seemed 
perfect ; there was no accidental discharges, no puncturing 
of primers, no keyholes from the shots, and the mechanism 
worked perfectly. They were distinguished for beauty of 
finish, symmetry, and fine shooting qualities. 

The Colt's Patent Firearms Company entered but one 
revolver, a .38 caliber double-action, such as is supplied to 
the police of a number of cities. This arm shot well through- 
out the test, showing no faults or defects of any kind. It 
shot well with both long and short cartridges. There was 
one accidental pull-off, wholly the fault of the shooter. 
It possesses strength, symmetry, and first-class shooting 
qualities. 

It was the unanimous opinion of all the experts in- 
terested in this test, that the above two makes of revolvers 
possess about equal merit, and were entitled to be classed 
as No. 1 for excellence. 

The American Arms Company revolver is a well-made 
arm, and possesses a very ingenious mechanism. It is an 
accurate shooting arm, but was poorly sighted — so poorly 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 



119 



that by aiming at the bottom edge of the four-inch buUseye 
in the center of the large target, all the shots could not 
be kept on the target ; the front sight was not high enough 
to permit aiming at an object and striking it or near it. 




Fig. 85. — \ Fifty consecutive shots at twelve yards with a .38 caliber Colt pocket 
revolver, Police Model. 



The incorrect sighting is a fault easily remedied, but the 
mechanism of the arm submitted was faulty, and was the 



1 20 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

chief cause of its poor showing. The mechanism is such 
that by pressing the trigger, it is cocked, and a second 
pressure of the finger releases the hammer. If it is desired 
to use the arm as a double-action hammerless, a little stud, 
which projects on the side of the action, is set over, and by- 
pressing the trigger the arm is not cocked, but the concealed 
hammer brought to a certain point; and as soon as this 
point is passed, the arm is discharged. In the .32 caliber, 
the mechanism worked perfectly, but in the .38 caliber the 
discharge of a shot would frequently change the mechanism, 
and when attempting to cock the revolver by the only 
way provided to do it, the arm would be accidentally dis- 
charged. After the test was finished, the arm was shot, 
and by setting the stud at each time it was jarred out of 
place, and by aiming fourteen inches below the bullseye 
good targets were made. With the above faults remedied, 
the revolver would undoubtedly be popular with many. 

The Hopkins & Allen revolver was entered by Hulbert 
Brothers of New York. There was no .38 caliber entered, 
the arm being a .32 double-action. It was not so well 
made an arm as the previous arms, the parts bearing no 
comparison with the workmanship of a Smith & Wesson 
or a Colt revolver, and it was not a smooth-working 
revolver. It was poorly sighted, shooting high and to the 
left of the bullseye with all the shooters. But with the 
above faults, it shot quite well and regularly. 

The Marlin revolvers, both in .32 and .38 caliber, 
developed serious faults. They were inferior in workman- 
ship and appearance to the Smith & Wesson and Colt 
revolvers, and want of care in their manufacture made 
them positively dangerous arms to handle. From the first 
to the last shot fired with both .32 and .38 caliber Marlin 
revolvers, the nose of the hammer punctured the primers 
of every cartridge of the three different makes. This per- 



I 



Pocket revolvers. l21 

mitted an escape of gas, and so fouled the revolvers that 
they would not stand cocked. As a result, the revolvers 
were accidently discharged as many as three times out of 
five. The arms proved to be so dangerous they were not 
shot through the test, and those groups recorded represent, 
in some instances, cartridges supplied for those accidentally 
fired ; the five shots being fired to learn the shooting quali- 
ties. The manufacturers claimed after the test that the 
revolvers were sent from the factory before being inspected 
bj a competent person that the fault alluded to has been 
remedied. 

The Lovell revolver appears to be a well-made arm, 
but it was discovered to be too large in the bore to shoot 
any of the ammunition provided, and was withdrawn. 

In the tables presented herewith will be found the 
records of the several arms tested, with descriptions of 
same. The results should not be considered as repre- 
senting the possibilities of revolvers and ammunition, for 
skill of the shooter also enters into the result. It is 
possible to do much fi.ner shooting with a pocket revolver 
than is here shown, and this was vividly illustrated at the 
conclusion of the test with the .38 caliber, when each 
shooter present was permitted to shoot with a preferred 
arm for his own satisfaction, and finer targets than those 
recorded were often made. 

The writer carried to the range, on the day of the tests, 
a Smith & Wesson single-action .38 caliber revolver with 
a four-inch barrel. This arm was perfectly sighted, and 
it was his intention to hold it in readiness to show what a 
first-class pocket revolver was capable of doing. An 
opportunity offered after the test had closed, and one of 
the shooters was invited to try the arm. He recorded 
the following score : — 

10 9 10 9 10=48. 



122 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Groups of shots were made with the arm which sur- 
prised many. 

It was considered desirable, in recording the results of 




Fig. 86. — Five consecutive sliots at twelve yards, witli Smith & Wesson .38 
caliber Pocket Revolver, 3% inch barrel. 



the test, to adopt the following plan : Two circles were 
struck. The first touched and inclosed four of the five 
shots ; the second touched and inclosed the five shots. 
The diameter of the circles was then taken and recorded. 
Thus every target shows that four out of five shots, or 
eighty per cent of the shots, are in a circle so many inches 
in diameter ; in the second column the diameter of group 
of five shots is shown. When the shooting is regular, 
and all the shots find the target, a mean is given. Where 
this is omitted, the shots were not caught by the target. 
In order to represent the location ot the groups of shots. 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 123 

the distance the group of five averages from the buUseye, 
or object aimed at, is given, and the direction is indicated 
by the clock dial, as in rifle shooting. To illustrate : A 
group of shots recorded 6-XII means the location of the 
group was six inches over the buUseye at twelve o'clock ; 
9-III, nine inches from the bullseye at three o'clock, 
and so on. 

It is perhaps not generally known that the mode of 
grasping a revolver has much to do with the elevation of 
the shots ; therefore it is impossible to sight a revolver 
perfectly for different individuals. Most of the shooters 
shot about alike as regards elevation ; but one of the 
experts, by his mode of grasping a revolver, and perhaps 
sighting, would group his shots a number of inches lower 
than the other men. 

The tables presented are full of interest to those 
familiar with firearms ; and many valuable deductions, it 
is thought, can be made from them. 



124 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 











cation 
of 
roup. 


I— 1 -c 




1— 1 1^ M 




M >— t>-H 




1— t 






1 


1 






MMI— 1 gj 




h- i "- *^ "H 




H.I— II— IM 




M hH -H M 






1 






^^>^S 




xxxy. 




klx^M 




X!MM>< 




XX \ 1 






a 
























^ O 


«I«QJ 




-fc« 




rtl« 




r*l 




r** 1 






COOOCOQ 




CO>ClM ->* 




C<1-«J<00«0 




oooe^o 




«0(M 1 -1- 




CO 


o 


: : : : 








: : : : 














P 


A 


(MIO 


C5 1— 1 i-H lO CO 


■* 


OOOO 


(M 1 OOOO 


lo mco CO 




CO 


cot- 


lo coeot-iH 


tH 


COIOIC 


05 CO CO ^ in 


■>*< 0^ CO "* 








co>c itt o 


to lOrfi CO CO 


>* 


-Ht-r-IOS 


Oi 1 ->*" c-^ >n 00 


CO co'-S' lO 












1 




I-H r— 1 




1 




J 


J 


ro 






■ : ■ : 












I : 


: : 






■*j 


























O 


























J3 


fo in 05 1-H 


r- 


O t-lNT)< 


00 


O IC CO T-H 


00 U3 00 1- 


O O lO 






CO 


rf<(N 50 05 


«£ 


> U7 CO CO 05 


I— 1 


CO t-lO CO 


O t- rH CO 


Tti iO t- 






-* 


■* CO(M-* 


ec 


5 eoeoco 1-1 


CO 


t-c^ t-co 


lO ff»-<*CO t- 


-* -*CO CO 




a 


1— I-HT3 




■c 




1— 1 KH 








p^ 






catio 

of 

roup. 


1— t — 1— 1 (T, 




^^1. 




M><MM 




Mi^r^hH 




x;^ 






+J 




-fcs •• 




















fl 




g 
















12; 
o 




:s o 


-!« 0) 




-^ © 




rt|lS«|N r<|01 




HM inkfl 




HiM-4« 1 


« 

» 


1—1 iC -^ Q 




->*(My 




I-H (M Tj* Tt< 
»H 




OiCOCO(M 




lOCO 
















1 . . . . 








M 




00 

o 

.13 


t-fO(M 


««■ 


ICl-lCOi 


o 


coco t-oi 


•^ "=> 


(>5 


iH 




U 


(« 


oot}< :o 


t- 


t- cot- CO 


00 


■^ O COtH 


in >o 


I-H ec 


^ 




2i 

M 


lO 


Ml-* t-?o 


»c 


) eo'^cot- 


^ 


t-1-HCO-* 
I-H 


«D CO 05 05 •* 


t-^ odt- 1 t-^ 1 


























<! 




CO 

O 










'.'.'.' 




: : : : : 






• M 






05 10 


c: 


> t- t- lO (M 


CO 


ot-inco 


^ 


oo »o 


lO t-O 00 






CO 


cc t- 


c 


5 00 CO I- CO 


t- 


uoeOiM lO 


Ci 


3 OCO t- 


CO 00 »o jH 






-* 


cocoo-1* 


■^ 


n (NCqiMCO 


co 


»o t-co<M 


T 


h »Ot-CDiN 


lO CO iC CO 




2 !=- 


HH tJ 




1— ( -rt 








hH 




h- 












I-H in 




I-H 1— IM 




P^^M 




X> 








eS O o 


-w 




-»j - 




















U V^ 


fl 




fl 




















3 « 


"ks (B 




© 




r^kS 




■-ICJ 




H« 






d 


eo<M CC^ 




lOCOQ 




I-H 




-f<OCO-J< 

rH 




■* Tj 




00 








i 
















S 


O 
CO 


t-OlCiC 


<T 


5 CO 05 ■'tl 


rH 


l-H ICO 


Ti 


H OO CO 


c 


3 Oir 


> t- 




• 


CO m t- 1— 


c 


) ■»*< CO <Si 


o 


«0<M10 




5 eoio ia> 


ir 


> loe- 


00 




P 


lO 


iO^^OZO 


ir 


s cococo'* 


<o 


o «o coco 

1-H 


t- 


oocoico 


If 


5 lOrt 


•<*< 






CD 
O 

.a 

CO 


OO t- iM IC 


V 


) CO o coc^ 


CO 


00 1- t-QO 


>(• 


i oot-oot^ 


c 


) o ir 


1 : . 






r-ICOi-IC<l 


•n 


< -PXOOrH 


o 


TH«oeo>-H 


« 


3 COCOiHCO 


a 


> UO t- 


CO 






■* 


|^o<^^»nec 


ei- 


5 •tUtJHCO'* 


•^ 


CO •*•*-* 


1j 


K t-<N-*iO 


^ 


< Tj^C^ 


CO 




,£5 

^^ a 

(U O Jh 














a5 
tsi 




00 
SI 

o 








t^ <5 


M 




CO 




05 








00 










»-i 




l-H 




rH 




1-H 




lH 








J3 ^ 




























02 




tn 




00 




tc 




00 








Barr 


.9- - : 




fl. > . 




.S- - - 




.S: : :: 




g 








rH|« 




.-If) 




r-hC 




■* 




-w 








CO 




CO 




00 








CO 








fl 


6 




aJ 




Si 6 




a5 




aj 








o 


fcfl 




i3 




a^-Sc 




r! 




.o 








*» 


fl" - - 




sr 3 :: 




o^.2^ 




S:: : s 




1^ 














o 






o 




o 








< 


c» 




Q 




Q «5 









fi 








u 


d 
o 


a 




6 


6 


0. 


fl 


0. 




6 




> 


b 


D 


^ 


o 

fl 00 




D <«^ 


b 


^ 




^ 
^ 


a 
> 

< 




> 

< 


C« c 
O G 

Sh^ 


> 

< 




h 
> 


u 

> 

< 














c 




o 




c« 










CO 








-s5 








S 




1 



^-{ 



POCKET REVOLVERS. 



125 









E3 




hH 1— 1 ^ 










t— 1 l-H -H 








O 




HH 1— 1 1— (l-H l-< 




1— ( ri rip— 1 






— I-H t— ( 








3 


^^f>M^ 






M 


xxy^ 








§ o o 


fl 


















o 


i 


"^ -tn 




^fctwb) 














>A 


-«j< o; c<i CO CO 




■^iCt-iO 




eo 


iH i-H rH 




cfi 




; ; : : . 








; ; 


: : 






02 


o 














• 






& 


Xi 




O>OQ0 tr- 


CO 


r^io t^ 


-* 


iM 


lO 










io t-i-H 00 


x> 


00 t- CO 


<M 


i-i 










lO 




t-T(< lO-* b- 


U5 


00U0-<*O 


t- 


iFt- 


t= t- 








tn 
O 
CO 




© »« rH IC O 


CO 


-r^ lO o o 


'^ 




>o t- 










iO?^CO<M lO 


OJ 


CO t-»0 lO 


(JO 




N ^00 








■<*l 




'^TjHcqff^ w 


eo 


CO CO-* 00 


ic 


ICIO = 


■>*H -1--* 






q 




>— ( 1— I i-H 






' 


I-H 


h^ *^ M 








.2 




XMP>k5k1 




^ H- 1 1-H 1— ( 




HH hH 


xy.x 








go 


o 

u 


d 














lA 




o 


;5 


"^rttn 




-*« 




«l« 


--tN-HlNrtlN 




O 
H 




hJ 


»Ct:-C<)C0»O 




eo>0(N CO 




■M CO O 


OCSi-l 
iH rH 




03 

o 








: : : : 






i : 




'hJ 


B 


»G 




iCOC^W 


<M 


TO h- t- t- 


CO 


o 


CO >c 






O 


CC 




t~ iC T— 1 t— 


CX) 


Tfoocoeo 


c^ 


lO 


o cq 






y^ 


>o 




t-CO«0<M CO 


IC 


Mb- cot- 


CO 


CO 


CD-* 




^ 
















05 














































■W 






















o 






















-G 




(?! (M»OI^ 


f^ 


coco 00 


CO 


o 


»o 








CC 




1— 1 CO (H 00 


t- 


OCOOD 


eo 


»c 


* °^. 


05 






-* 




CO ■* CO tH CO 


eo 


iM-«HCO t- 


^ |co=t= 


* >n-* 


1— 1 




fl 




1— (I-H 








^ ,_J>— ' 


hH hH hH 






o 


p- 


UH ^l-(i-H 








I-H rr "H I-H 1-H I-H I-H 


hJ 






OS o 


o 


a 




a 








<r1 






o 


O 






"^ -*»-*< 






-<|C1 


O 






tj 


lOCO-*r-lfO 




COCO(N-* 




t-eo^oo-^o«i 

>H i-H I-H 














JO 




d 


02 








I ' I ' 


• 




: : : : 






A 


^ 




o> t--*o 


o 


lOl^t-t- 


05 


lO 


00 








OO 




CD 00 OS lO 


<N 


t-oo CO eo 


id 


t- 


1—1 






hJ 


lo 




CC CO mrj* lO 


lO 


vCtPOO t- 


CO 


00 CO 


oot=t=^ 

rH 




03 

O 


























1 I ; I ; I ; ' 
























; ; ! ! ! ■ 1 






















^ 




t-»fl OS o »n 


o 


CIM o 


1— I 


lOlC 


b-o>no 








m 




00(M CO >0 (M 




tH o »0 




«M t- 


eo b-(N CO 








-* 




eo<N<N coio 


eo 


ICC-ICOIO 


■* 


i6 ■*■ eolui -*■ ^' b-' 1 




•ha 




TQ 




aj 




en 


03 






SI 

o- - - - 




!S3 






IS! 
























-*» 




-*1 




-*» 


-*1 






r- 




t- 




b- 


00 






'-1 




^H 




lH 


rH 




ja r-; 


















■» a> 




GO 




m 




05 


tn 




Leng 

of 

Barr 




fl^ - — 




a- « .- 




a> - 


- q- > 










• <-H ^ ** *• 












Tt< 




Tt< 




eo 


eo 




ci 




OJ 




<o 




OJ 


o ii 




o 




!50, » . _ 

a- - - » 




Si 

o 




o 






< 




2 




Q 




Q 


CC 








fl 




fl 




OQ 


6 




u 




o 

in 


6 


o 

CD 


6 


Si 

< 


o 




a> 




00 


bfl 


UO 


bf 


OQ 




> 




a> 


cS 


<U 


ei 


< 




o 




^^ 


(1> 


^^ 


0) 


flO 




> 

05 






> 
< 


4J 


> 


03 












s 

32 




s 




S 



.2 a 

- lUi p 

O O 



d 



£3 

.2 P. 

g«P 
O 

h-5 



O 



><!>'M><M 



03 m lo eo CO 



-<* b- CO CD t- 



• 


. . . . 1 


CO t-iO<M 
CO IC t-oo 

(?i ■* Ti< im' CD 



a 
.2 ft 

3 5 



hH hH i-H txj hH 

b- lO o cooo 



: M : : 
: : o : 

* "o ' ' 

eo 00 rH 
-* b-^ rH CO lO 






03 O 



'-'rS 



OJ 01 



.Co 

CJ.C 

.22 "3 

_ I V 



c<i ■* 00 ■«*• (?» 



O u 
^ c3 

IS'" 



as 



CO s n 

K 

eo •=■§ 



O) O Sh 



4J <3J 

bC^H !h 

*=! « iJ 





.2 

O 



o 
to 



0} 0) 

C = 
c* • 
5 cj 
.5 « 

S-I.r-I r^ 

—1 o 



m 
oi 



V < 

Is 



fl *! 



126 MODERN A M ERIC AN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

My own conclusions, drawn from this and previous 
private tests with pocket revolvers, are as follows : The 
best made revolver is always preferable ; for not only 
accuracy is secured, but the greatest safety in using them. 
Poorly made revolvers may shoot well, if the bore is of 
proper size, and the cylinder comes opposite the barrel ; 
but poorly made revolvers soon lose their good shooting 
qualities, if. they possess them, and the danger is very 
great in using them, for they soon fail to work properly. 
A .32 caliber cartridge, owing to the lighter charge, does 
not seem to disable a revolver so soon as a .38 caliber. 
Good ammunition will shoot finely in a good revolver, 
when that arm is properly manipulated by a good shot ; 
but however excellent the ammunition, it will not shoot 
well in an irregularly bored revolver, though the arm may 
be otherwise perfect. 

The impression was formed by the writer that one of 
the cartridge companies had encountered this diificulty; 
and in order to have its ammunition give good results in 
revolvers having barrels slightly larger than others, the 
base of the bullet had been hollowed, and with a soft 
bullet it upset enough to fit the barrel. 



AMMUNITION FOR PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 127 



CHAPTER IX. 

AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

All modern American pistols and revolvers are made 
to shoot metallic cartridges. There are a few fine 
muzzle loading dueling and target pistols in use at the 
present time, but the great amount of labor necessary to 
load them, in comparison with the modern breech loading 
arms, makes them unpopular with most pistol shots, 
and out of the question for revolvers for military use, 
where rapidity of firing and reloading is required. The 
difference between a muzzle and a breech loading, single- 
shot pistol is apparently the same as the difference between 
the two systems of rifles. If loaded a certain way, there 
is no advantage in one over the other. Probably a muzzle- 
loading pistol, charged the usual way of dueling pistols, 
would show finer work than a breech loading pistol of the 
same weight, length of barrel and bore, loaded with a 
factory metallic cartridge. But if two pistols exactly 
alike, with the exception of one beiag a muzzle loader, 
and the other a breech loader, were loaded with the same 
charge, one being loaded at the muzzle, the other at the 
breech ; but instead of using a factory metallic cartridge, 
the bullet was seated in the rifling, and the shell loaded 
flush to its top, and placed in the chamber, after the 
manner of loading the modern breech-loading target rifle, 
it is believed that one pistol would shoot as well as the 
other. Many of the foreign target and dueling pistols 
of recent manufacture are made breech loading, and 
loaded in the manner described. The expert pistol shot 
can prepare his own ammunition if desirable, 



128 MODERN AMERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

With few exceptions, modern American pistols and re- 
volvers take the metallic cartridges, which are produced 





Fig. 87. — Mr. C. F. A. Armstrong, Boston. Amateur Pistol Shot. 

in enormous quantities and variety of styles in this coun- 
try. These cartridges vary in size, and are known to the 
trade from .22 to .50 caliber, and contain charges of powder 






AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 129 

from three grains to forty, and bullets weighing from 
thirty to 300 grains. 

The cartridge companies in America manufacture the 
following cartridges, which are used in American pistols 
and revolvers : — 

Ilim-Fire Cartridges. 

Conical ball cartridge for indoors, .22 caliber. .22 

caliber : powder, 3 grains ; lead, 30 grains. .22 caliber 

(long) : powder, 5 ; lead, 30. .22 : powder, 5 ; lead, 40. 

.22 : powder, 7 ; lead, 45. .25 caliber • powder, 5 ; lead, 




Fig. 88. — Score of ninety-five, shot by Mr. E. J. Darlington, at Wilmington 

Del., December 25, with a Stevens pistol. Distance fifty yards. 

Target 14 original size. 



38. .25 Stevens: powder, 11; lead, Q3. .30 caliber, 
powder, 6 ; lead, 55. .30 caliber (long) : powder, 9 ; 
lead, 55. .32 caliber (ex. short) : powder, 6 ; lead, 55. 
.32 caliber (short): powder, 9; lead, 82. .32 caliber 
(long): powder, 13; lead, 90. .38 caliber (short): 
powder, 18 ; lead, 150. .38 caliber (long) : powder, 21 ; 
lead, 148. .41 caliber : powder, 13 ; lead, 130. .41 



130 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

caliber (long): powder, 16; lead, 130. .44 caliber 
(short): powder, 21; lead, 200. .44 caliber: powder, 
26 ; lead, 200. .44 caliber: powder, 23 ; lead, 200. .46 
caliber : powder, 26 ; lead, 230. 

Center Fire Cartridges. 

.22 caliber (extra long) : powder, 8 ; lead, 45. .22 
caliber: powder, 15 grains; lead, 45 grains. .25 caliber: 
powder, 20; lead, 77 or 86. 32 caliber Protector: pow- 
der, 4 ; lead, 51. .32 caliber Smith & Wesson: powder, 
9; lead, 85. .32 caliber Colt: powder, 12; lead, 90. 
.32 caliber (short) : powder, 9 ; lead, 82. .32 caliber 
(long) : powder, 13 ; lead, 90. .32 caliber Colt : powder, 
20; lead, 100. .32 caliber H & R: powder, 15; lead, 
88. .32 caliber Winchester: powder, 20; lead, 115. 
.32 Smith & Wesson .32-.44 target: powder, 10 ; lead, 
83. .32 caliber Smith & Wesson rifle and .32 caliber 
Smith & Wesson, .32-.44 : powder, 17 ; lead, 100. .38 
caliber Merwin & Hulbert : powder, 14 ; lead, 145. .38 cal- 
iber Smith & Wesson: powder, 14; lead, 145. .38 
caliber (short) : powder, 15 ; lead, 130. .38 caliber (long) 
Colt: powder, 18; lead, 132. .38 Smith & Wesson, 
Special self-lubricating cartridge : powder, 14 ; lead, 145. 
.38-.44 Smith & Wesson target: powder, 11; lead, 83. 
.41 caliber : powder, 20 ; lead, 130. .41 caliber Colt's 
D. A. : powder, 14 ; lead, 160. .41 cahber (long) D. A. : 
powder, 21 ; lead, 200. .44 caliber Webley : powder, 
18 ; lead, 200. .44 caliber Bull Dog : powder, 15 ; lead, 
168. .44 caliber Colt : powder, 23 ; lead, 210. .44 
caliber Smith & Wesson, American model : powder, 25 ; 
lead, 205. .44 caliber Smith & Wesson, Russian model : 
powder, 22 ; lead, 255. .44 caliber Winchester : powder, 
40 ; lead, 200. .44 caliber Merwin & Hulbert : powder, 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 131 

30 ; lead, 220. .44 caliber Smith & Wesson, Russian 
model, gallery : powder, 7. .44 caliber Smith & Wesson, 




Fig. 89. — Col. Howard Simpson. Expert Amateur Pistol Slaot, Wilmington, Del. 



Russian model, gallery, round ball : powder, 7. .45 
caliber Webley : powder, 20 ; lead, 230. .45 caliber 
Colt: powder, 35; lead, 250. .45 caliber Smith & 



132 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Wesson (Scliofield) : powder, 30; lead, 250. .50 caliber: 
powder, 25 ; lead, 300. 

The above list comprises all the metallic cartridges, 
known to the author, which can be found in the market 
at the time of writing this chapter. Many of these car- 
tridges are adapted to almost obsolete patterns of pistols 
and revolvers, and would never be selected by skilled 
marksmen to do fine work, for the reason that both pistol 
and cartridge are not suitable for good shooting. 

I have jDreviously alluded to the great number of cheap, 
worthless pistols and revolvers to be found in the Ameri- 
can market. INlany of the cartridges are for these arms. 
I have also mentioned the great quantity of pistols and 
revolvers intended for weapons of defense at short range. 
Among this list are numerous cartridges for these weapons, 
and still others are for the best and most accurate of 
American pistols and revolvers. These, with a few for 
foreign weapons, make up the list. 

Among the cartridges largely used in single-shot pistols 
at the present time are the following : — 

Rim-Fire Cartridges, 
.22 caliber, conical balls ; .22 caliber, short. .22 long 
rifle ; .22 Winchester, .25 Stevens. 

Center-Fire CarUndges. 

.32 caliber Smith & Wesson ; .82 caliber Colt ; .32 
caliber (short) ; .32 caliber (long) ; .32 caliber Win- 
chester rifle cartridge ; .32 caliber Smith & Wesson rifle. 

For revolvers no expert marksmen, unless obliged 
to, would use rim-fire cartridge. The center-fire car- 
tridges giving the best results are as follows : .32 caliber 
Smith & Wesson ; .32 caliber Colt ; .32 caliber (short) ; 
.32 caliber (long) ; .32 caliber Smith & Wesson rifle, 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 133 

with round or conical ball, light and full charge ; .32 
caliber Smith & Wesson, .32-.44 Russian model; .38 
caliber Merwin & Hulbert ; .38 caliber Smith & Wesson ; 
.38 caliber (short) ; .38 caliber (long) ; .41 caliber ; .44 
caliber Colt; .44 caliber Smith & Wesson, American 




— Thirty sliots, bv Mr. H. S. Harris, at fifty yards, witli Stevens Goukl Model 
itol, .22 long-ritle tj. M. C. cartridge, at Walnut Hill, Mass., Dec. 30, 1893. 



Fig. 90. 

Pistol, _ , ,. ., , . 

Target reduced to one fourth the original size. 
9 9 9 10 10 10 9 9 9 10 = 94 
9 9 9 8 8 9 10 10 10 10 = 92 
10 8 10 10 9 10 10 10 9 10 = 96=282 



model ; .44 caliber Smith & Wesson, Russian model, full 
charge and light charge, with round or light conical bullet ; 
.44 caliber Winchester ; .45 caliber Webley ; .45 caliber 
Colt's Army; .45 caliber Smith & Wesson (Schofield). 
In rim-fire cartridges the .22 caliber conical ball cartridge 
is used in considerable quantity. It makes very little 
report, hardly any smoke, and is used largely by 
persons desiring practice indoors, where smoke and noise 
would be objectionable. Manufacturers claim this car- 
tridge possesses great accuracy at short range (ten or 
fifteen yards), and will not injure the pistol. It is true 



134 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

that very fine shooting can often be done with this car- 
tridge, but the explosive substance with which this 
cartridge is charged is tremendously powerful, and the 
slightest variation in the quantity affects the power of 
a cartridge, therefore it is not unusual to get a wild shot 
with good holding, and it is not uncommon to have a bullet 




Fig. 91. — Ten consecutive shots at fifty yards, by Mr. Sumner Paine, shot at 

Walnut Hill, April 23, with a Stevens Gould Model Pistol, .22 caliber; 

score 96; target reduced to one quarter original size. 



lodged in the barrel of the pistol from lack of power in 
the cartridge sufficient to force it out. The question of 
its not injuring a pistol may be true ; but I should hesitate 
to use them in a pistol I desired to keep for the finest 
work, although the sport which can be obtained with 
these tiny cartridges tempts many enthusiasts to use them 
in great quantities. There are conical ball .22 caliber 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 135 

cartridges in the market with very thick, irregular heads. 
In using them there is much danger of premature dis- 





Fig. 92. — Mr. PI. E. Tuck, Haverhill, Mass. Amateur Pistol Shot. 



charges, as by closing the pistol the head of the cartridge 
is jammed, and an explosion is likely to occur, as they 
did several times in the writer's hands. This fact well 
illustrates the greater danger in handling rim-fire over 
center-fire cartridges. 

The .22 caliber (short) cartridge is consumed annually 



136 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

by the million in America by pistol shooters. It is 
probably as accurate, if properly made, as any cartridge 
in the world up to a distance of hfty yards. It doubtless 
will continue in popularity for many years, for it is 
difficult, if not impossible, to make a cartridge of this 
size to sell for the price this cartridge does, and have 
it center-fire, besides the difficulty of making a primer 
small enough to fit a .22 caliber straight shell. In all 
calibers above .22, the rim-fire cartridge is fast becoming 
obsolete, and they are never chosen now by the expert 
pistol shot. The chief faults of the rim-fire cartridges are 
danger and unreliability caused by the action of heat on 
the lubricant. Rim-fire cartridges can be spoiled by 
placing them near a hot stove or where great heat can 
reach them, or even by placing them in a show window 
where the sun strikes them ; and ammunition which 
would shoot well on leaving the factory, from the causes 
mentioned would be liable to either miss fire or shoot in 
an irregular manner. Center-fire cartridges are safer to 
handle, less liable to be injured by temperature. Since 
the publication of the first edition of this work, great 
improvement has been made in American metallic car- 
tridges for pistols and revolvers, improving the accuracy 
and lessening the liability of deterioration. Prominent 
among the faults in pistol cartridges are the following : — 

1. The exterior diameter of the cartridge, instead of 
the interior diameter, conforming to the bore of the pistol. 

2. The excessive crimping of the shell to hold the 
bullet. 

3. The placing of the lubricant on the exposed part of 
the bullet, instead of in cannelures covered by the shell. 

4. The want of a proper powder to load the cartridge. 

The first fault may properly be laid to the door of the 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 137 

manufacturer of the arms, wliicli we are glad to say is 
found mostly in cheap revolvers. 

The second fault is now largely overcome by cartridge- 
makers, and as a result better shooting is being done. 

The third fault the writer claims some credit for correct- 




FiK. 93. 



■Mr. N. A. Hughes. Expert Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. 
AVilliamsport, Penn. 



ing. The Government Ordnance Board wisely saw the 
fault of such a cartridge, and made the Government 
revolver cartridge with no exposed lubricant. The Win- 
chester model, 1873, rifle cartridge has no outside lubri- 



138 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

cant. This is one reason why the Colt frontier revolver 
is the favorite arm of thousands of frontiersmen, when 
experiments would probably convince the most sceptical 
that the Russian model cartridge as a charge possesses far 
greater accuracy, and if in the hands of a battalion of 
cavalry would show much better results than the army 
cartridge or the .44 Winchester. The original Smith & 
Wesson Russian model cartridge was designed by officers 
of the Russian government, but why they decided to have 
an outside lubricant the writer could never understand. 
This cartridge, as formerly made, when shot in a Smith & 
Wesson revolver, in cold weather, if shot slowly out of 
doors, would foul a revolver to such an extent as to disable 
it ; and as Russia is a cold country, it would seem easy to 
imagine the difficulty likely to arise from this cause. The 
writer, perceiving this fault in the Russian model cartridge, 
some time ago visited the factory of the Union Metallic 
Cartridge Co., and suggested a change. The superin- 
tendent of the works immediately invited the writer to the 
testing-room, where fifty shots were fired rapidly without 
cleaning, and the result offered as proof of the excellence 
of the cartridge. It was suggested that a box be placed 
out of doors, it being a cold day, which was done, and 
after a brief time the cartridges were shot slowly, and 
before the box was half consumed the revolver could not 
be cocked, from the excessive fouling. This enterprising 
company at once saw the fault in this cartridge, and in a 
short time the writer had the pleasure of receiving a box 
of the new cartridges, with no outside lubricant, which, 
upon testing, were found much cleaner ; and it is believed 
that twenty, or perhaps more, of these inside lubricated 
cartridges can be fired in a Smith & Wesson revolver, and 
accurate shooting secured. The improvement was so ap" 
parent that this company discontinued the old manner pf 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND BE VOL VE MS. 139 

making this cartridge, and manufacture its entire product 
of this cartridge, as well as those for modern pocket revol- 
vers, with no exposed lubricant ; and other companies soon 
followed the example. 

All ammunition which is intended to be carried in a belt 
or the pocket should have no outside lubricant. When 
the exposed part of the bullet is freely lubricated, it is 
likely to become detached on one side, and experiments 
have shown that a bullet, with grease on one side only, 
will not shoot accurately ; and I am pleased to observe 
that most cartridges for smaller calibers are now made 
Avith an increased number of cannelures and no exposed 
lubricant. 

The chief trouble with revolver ammunition to-day is 
its excessive fouling from the grease and powder. By 
firing bullets into soft snow from a revolver which has 
been shot a few times, the investigator will find a ragged 
bullet, which shows how it raked over the adamantine-like 
crust which adheres to the inside of a revolver barrel, and 
which impairs its accuracy ; therefore the fine shot cleans 
his revolver about once in every ten shots, if shooting the 
full charge. We have seen frontiersmen who stated they 
seldom clean their, revolver except when they go hunting 
for a victim ; but as these individuals never did what is 
now called fine shooting, and the man who cleans his 
revolver as often as every ten shots puts ten consecutive 
shots in a four-inch bullseye at thirty yards, it is evident 
that keeping a revolver clean is conducive to good marks- 
manship. 

Most shooters believe a great improvement will, before 
long, be made in powder, and it is thought that this will 
lessen the fouling of revolvers ; but this difficulty is not 
likely to be wholly overcome. 

A new cartridge recently invented and perfected by Mr, 



140 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

D. B. Wesson, senior member of the firm of Smith & 
Wesson, of Springfield, Mass., the famous revolver manu- 
facturers, is known as the self-lubricating cartridge, and it 




Fig. 94. — Self lubricating cartridge before firing. 

was invented by Mr. Wesson with the object of lessening 
the fouling in revolvers. The finest shooting revolver in 
the world, if shot rapidly in a dry atmosphere, is likely to 
become so inaccurate by fouling as to greatly affect its 
usefulness. Mr. Wesson sought to overcome this difiiculty 
in the following manner : — 

The bullet is provided with a core in its base about one 
eighth of an inch in diameter. Into this core a copper 
plug is inserted. The core is filled with lubricant, and at 
the base of the core is a brass stopper. From the bottom 




Fig. 95. — Action of cartridge wlien fired. 



of the core there are four minute passages extending in dif- 
ferent directions toward the point of the bullet, coming out 



i 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 141 

at the point above the shoulder. These passages are also 
filled with lubricant. After the discharge of the cartridge, 
the gas forces the brass plug up the core, thus driving the 
lubricant through the four passages above referred to, and 
it is claimed by the inventor that by this means there is an 
even distribution of the lubricant along the barrel of the 
revolver, which keeps the residuum moist and the barrel 
clean. This moisture prevents what is termed by rifle- 
men, as freezing on the barrel, which means that the 
residuum, which at the time of firing is in a molten state, 
cools rapidly, adhering to the barrel with such pertinacity 
as to permit of removing only with the most vigorous 
application of brush, and often making it necessary to 
apply a wire brush and water. 

A careful test of these cartridges was made by the 
writer at Walnut Hill, Mass., at the range of the MassR- 
chusetts Rifle Association. Several hundred rounds of 
the cartridges in .38 caliber were shot from Smith & 
Wesson revolvers with barrels of different lengths from 
3^ up to six inches. The results in every trial were 
excellent. There is a diminution of recoil, which may 
not be attributed to the construction of the bullet ; the 
non-fouling qualities of the cartridge were conspicuous. 
Fifty consecutive shots were fired in one test, after which 
a careful trial was made for accuracy, and a series of shots 
at fifty yards placed in a group five inches in diameter. 
Another trial was made ; and after shooting a number of 
shots with the arm, Mr. H. S. Harris, the well-known 
pistol expert, fired a series of seventeen consecutive shots, 
off-hand, at a distance of fifty yards, on the Standard 
American target, all of which were bulls eyes. The 
revolver used was a Smith & Wesson, with a six-inch 
barrel. 

Viewing this cartridge solely on the grounds of accuracy, 



14-2 MODFEX AMERiay PISTOLS AXn EKVOLVKRS. 

it is in evorv way a superior oariridgv. The radical de- 
parture iu its eoustruetion eaused uie to watch vigilautly 
for irregularities in shooting, Inii 1 discovered none. 
There was not a keyliole in the several hundred shot:^ 
tired, not an nnacoinnitaWo ; and m hile 1 am not prepared I 
to say that ii was the most accurate cartridge known, I « 
do not hesitate to state that I have never seen any more , 
accurate central-tire cartridges when tired from a re- 
volver. Some o( the modern central-tire pistol cartridges 
have been imjM'ovcil lo a great extent during the past few 
veal's, to such an extent that they arc near perfection : 
ami when a cartridge is produced of superior merit, it 
can only be in a small degree superior. It is the opinion 
of all the expert pistol shots who have shot this new 
cartridge that it is a cleaner cartridge than those manu- ^ | 
factured by the old method, with the lubricant iu the 
cannelures. The new cartriilge, iu a Smith Os: Wesson 
revolver with a six-inch barrel, seems to shoot with 
nearly as much accuracy as the famous long-ritlc car- 
tridge in a single-shot pistol with a ten-inch barrel. 

I am informed a test of this cartridge has been made by 
the United States government, tlie results showing in- 
creased accurac}' as compared with regular ammunition. 

It is stilted that the price of the new cartridge is 
slightly in advance of the regular products of the factory, 
but those seeking" the most accurate cartridoe ^^ ill not be 
intluenced against using it by tlie additional cost. To an 
inditYerent shot, the superiority of the amuumiiion, if it 
exists, would count for but litth\ It would probably 
sliow to best advantao:e in shootino- a Ions; series of sliotvS, 
where cleaning pistols was prohibited. The anunnnition 
is manufactured by Smitli v.^ Wesson at Springlield, Mass., 
and an illustration of it is presented herewith. 

Newlv made annuunition is more desirable than ohl, if 



AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 143 

great accuiacy is desired ; hence many marksmen pnjfer 
to load their own ammunition, the mode of which will be 
found in another chapter. 

The use of nitro-powders in revolvers has not attracted 
the attention in this country that it has in England. 
The late English mails bring me advices that, in addition 
to the recent successful trial of " S. V." powder in revol- 
vers at Bisley, there has been a successful trial of it in 
the matches ol the North London and South London 
Revolver Clubs, which are, I und(irstand, adjuncts to the 
rifle clubs. Mr. IL Andrews, at the North London Rifle 
Club, Ilford Giange, in 1893, scored the possible of forty- 
two out of forty-two, at twenty yards, bullseyes counting 
seven. A diagram of his target is shown in the accom- 
panying illustration. On the following week, Lieutenant 




Fig. 9e. — Six shots at twenty yanls with S. V. [jowder, in a Colt revolver. 

Bailey adopted this powder, and also made forty-two 
points. On Wednesday, October 4, Mr. C. F. Lowe made 
the top score of forty-one out of a possible forty-two 
points. The winners of the third, fourth, and fifth 



144 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

positions also used " S. V." powder, shooting above their 
average. The revolver used by Mr. Andrews was a Colt 
revolver, and the charge said to be 4 J grains of smokeless 
" S. v.," with a 225-grain bullet. 

I have been eagerly waiting to learn if this powder or 
any other smokeless powder can be used successfully in a 
revolver as a service charge. Four and one-half grains of 
smokeless powder is no charge for anything but target 
shooting; and target shooting with a revolver as shot in 
many places, at the time of writing, with lightly loaded 
cartridges, is nothing more or less than pistol shooting. 
The results obtained in England are interesting, and no 
doubt will be good news to many wlio are fond of shoot- 
ing light charges with a revolver at a target; for probably 
the use of such ammunition does away with one of the 
most objectionable features in revolver shooting, which is 
the necessity of cleaning the revolver after every ten 
shots. 

I advise shooters to refrain from experimenting with 
nitro-powders until the producers have demonstrated, 
beyond, doubt their safety in revolvers and pistols. 



RELOADING AMMUNITION, 145 



CHAPTER X. 

BELOADING AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REYOLVERS. 

There is a general impression among the shooting 
fraternity that reloaded ammunition is superior to the 
factory made. This is doubtless true if prepared by an 
expert, but it is safe to say that a majority of persons 
would secure much better results from the factory-made 
cartridges than they would with those prepared by them- 
selves. It is necessary to have perfect firearms to secure 
fine and regular shooting ; but unless the proper ammu- 
nition is used, the superiority of the pistol or revolver 
will not be apparent. 

As marksmen become skillful, they notice errors in 
shooting ; if they possess enthusiasm enough to l^ecome 
experts, they are constantly studying to improve their 
work, and a large share of their attention is devoted 
to the ammunition. It is not uncommon to find car- 
tridges with the bullet improperly seated in the cartridge 
case, or shell. The bullet is sometimes forced over one 
side of the shell, and, instead of being wholly seated in 
the shell, has the full length of the bullet on one side 
exposed. The common mode of lubricating, by dipping 
in the lubricant, after the bullet is seated in the shell, 
hides many defects in factory-made cartridges with outside 
lubrication ; and the indifferent shooter fires the cartridges 
without thinking or investigating the cause of wild shots, 
until he notices what is technically known as '' keyholes," 
or the bullets going through the target sideways instead 
of point on. 



146 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Other faults in factory-made ammunition are caused by 
age, which deteriorates the cartridge, causing the powder 
to cake, and the shell, bullet, and lubricant to oxidize, 
the latter cause also affecting the efficacy of the primer. 
As some cartridge companies have used one formula for 
making lubricant for cold weather, another for warm 
weather, and as lots of ammunition get scattered in all sec- 
tions, and are sometimes carried in stock for several years, 
it can be said that one might not get so good results from 
factory cartridges as from those freshly prepared of home 
make. 

There are other reasons why many of the shooting 
fraternity prefer to reload their shells ; it is a piece of 
economy not to be despised, and being located in an 
inaccessible place, away from towns or cities where car- 
tridges can be purchased, compels some individuals to 
do this work. 

The marksman, in attempting to reload ammunition, 
will encounter many obstacles, and he is not likely to 
produce so good cartridges at the first trials as he can 
purchase in stores where they have been received fresh 
from the factories ; but to those who desire to prepare 
their own ammunition, the following mode, practiced by 
different pistol and revolver experts, will doubtless prove 
a guide to many : — 

If the finest work is to be attempted, the use of new 
shells is recommended. If old shells are to be reloaded, 
the exploded primer should first be removed, the shells 
then washed and thoroughly rinsed in water, warm if 
convenient ; and if desirable to remove the stains from the 
shells, a little acid may be dropped into the water. After 
washing thoroughly, dry perfectly, but do not heat enough 
to draw the temper. Special care should be taken to 
have the water dried out of the pockets or primer-holes. 




RELOADING": AMMUNITION. 147 

The next process, if the shell was previously crimped, is 
to expand it at the mouth. 

The reloading tools supplied by manufacturers are adver- 
tised to expand as well as decap the shell, but do so very 
ineffectually, and a tool is recommended specially for this 
purpose. Unless the shell is sufficiently expanded, the 
bullet cannot be properly seated in the shell, and this is 
one of the first difficulties the beginner is likely to 
encounter. After expanding the shell, the next operation 

is to reprime the shells. It will be 
found necessary to use the copper 
primer for most of the American 
shells. Considerable care should be 
^,.^. ^- used in seating the primer, as most of 

the shells are not solid head, and a 
heavy pressure on the capper will seat the primer too deep, 
and often force it through the pocket and spoil the shell. 
If the full charge of powder is to be used in the cartridge, 
the shells should then receive it ; but if a reduced charge 
is to be used in a large caliber, with the object of making 
cartridges for indoor shooting, many experts use a wad of 
pasteboard of the exact size of the inside diameter of the 
shell, with a hole about one half the diameter of the wad 
in its center. The wad is seated in the base of the shell, 
and the light charge of powder poured in. The object of 
this wad is to cause the powder to ignite quicker than it 
would, if spread over the base of a large shell. By the 
hole in the center of the wad, much of the small 
charge of fine powder is directly in front of the primer, 
and the theory of experts is that the full force of the 
charge of powder is thus more quickly secured. 

The question of powder is a very important one. It 
has provoked a great amount of discussion and experi- 
menting among manufacturers and shooters. The most 



148 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

desirable point is cleanliness, as much fouling means 
inaccurate shooting ; and as that is a very marked defect 
in nearly all black powders at the present time, many 
believe that the effectiveness and accuracy of the re- 
volver will be increased when improvements in powder 
are made. 




Fig. 98. — Five shots with Smith & Wesson Revolver, at fifty yards, by Mr. John 
L. Fowle. Reduced to one quarter original size. 



In the smaller calibers and in short-barreled pistols a 
finer grain of powder should be used; the fine grain 
powder is also better for light charges. 

A request to the leading American powder manufact- 
urers to state the brands of powder they recommended 
for pistol and revolver shooting brought the following 
responses : — 

The American Powder Mills recommends for pistol car- 



RELOADING AMMUNITION. 149 

tridges " nothing coarser than No. 2 ; i. e., Telegraph, Nos. 
2 to 5 ; Rifle Cartridge, Nos. 3 to 5 ; also Dead Shot." 

E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. recommends the 
powders specially made for that purpose, and known as 
FFF B cartridge powder, and also FFF A powder. 

The Eagle Duck No. 3 is also used for pistol cartridges ; 
but Mr. Conlin, the expert in such matters, and who keeps 
a gallery in New York for pistol shooting principally, 
states that " the FFF B brand of powder, introduced to 
revolver shooters, would prove the best adapted to re- 
volver cartridges, as I find it to be the best that I have 
yet tried." 

The Oriental Powder Mills recommends for pistol car- 
tridges Wing Shot, No. 2 or No. 3 grain, or Western 
Sporting, Fg or FFg grain. 

The Hazard Powder Co. For pistol shooting, a fine 
grain is preferred, of " Electric," " American Sporting," 
or " Kentucky Rifle." 

In addition to the American brands of black powder 
mentioned is the American wood powder, which is favored 
by some pistol shots on account of its non-fouling qualities. 
The English powder, Curtis's & Harvey No. 3, is also ex- 
cellent. It is quite clean and uniform, but its cost is very 
high, the expense of a pound being about fl.50. The 
American Powder Mills' products are used by many 
experts, the Hazard's Kentucky Rifle is also a favorite 
brand. But there are many opinions as to the best powder ; 
if a shooter obtains good results with a certain brand, it is 
wisdom to use it exclusively, if possible, as the different 
brands vary much in strength and affect elevations. 
Mr. F. J. Rabbeth, an acknowledged expert in firearms, 
has devoted considerable time to experimenting with pow- 
ders, shooting many hundred shots at a rest, with revol- 
vers fitted with fine sights, to learn, if possible, the 



150 



MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



merits of different brands of powder for pistol shooting. 
His experiments Avith nitro powder show excellent results; 
but a majority of the pistol shots at the present time do not 
seem to favor nitro powders, but there exists a feeling that 
before long a powder will be produced which will cause 
less fouling than that in use at the present time, and 
such a compound will be welcomed by pistol shots. 

After placing the powder in the shell the bullet is in- 
serted, generally without a wad, and crimped into the shell. 




Fiir. 99. — Ideal Keloadino' Tool. 



In cartridges with full charges the bullet is usually seated 
with a tool made expressly for the purpose. With reduced 
charges, a round ball is often used, which is seated down 
in the shell touching the powder. It is tlien necessary to 
lubricate the cartridge; and as there are no cannelures to 
hold the grease, it is desirable to place the lubrication 
around the upper edge of the bullet. There are several 
ways of doing this ; the most approved manner being to 
place a bit of cold lubricant in each shell after the bullet 
has been seated, then with a plug with a concave end, of 
about the same diameter as the shell, force the lubricant 



RELOADING AMMUNITION. 



151 



down on top of the bullet, and by a few turns of the plug 
the lubricant will be placed evenly around the edge of the 
ball. Evenly distributing the lubricant is essential to 
secure even shooting. 

If desirable to make the bullets, we cannot add anything 
to the directions given by Mr. F. J. Rabbeth, and pub- 
lished in the first edition of this work. 

" I have been tempted to tell riflemen what I know about 




Fig. 100. — Forty-nine out of fifty, at twenty yards, with a .44 caliber Russian 
Model Smith & Wesson, made at the Brighton, Eng., Rifle Gallery, December 
18, 1888, by Mr. Walter Winans. Best five-shot score, at twenty yards, 
at that time made in England. Target full size. 



making bullets, thereby enabling such as have not mas- 
tered the art, but who have the time and inclination, as 
also the disposition, to save a penny. To begin, the mold 
should be of brass or composition, as lead flows to that metal 
better than iron or steel, and is worth more than the differ- 
ence in cost. The two halves should be pivoted together, 



152 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

like a pair of blacksmith's tongs (not like a nut cracker, 
as many of them are), with a large, well-fitted hinge 
screw, with a body part one-eighth larger than thread part, 
so that it may be screwed solid against this enlarged 
body part without binding the mold too tightly together. 
Unless these hinge screws are so fitted with shoulder, they 
are continually working loose, and causing delay and 
trouble. After the mold is pivoted together and properly 
jointed, it should have one well-fitted dowel pin placed as 
far from the pivot screw as possible in the centre of the 
mold head. The mold should be ample in size at the 
pivot or hinge, and at the head, so that it will not be 
likely to get sprung out of adjustment by rough usage ; 
also that its mass may retain heat, and so preserve a more 
uniform temperature while in use. The cut-off should be 
of cast steel, one eighth to three sixteenths of an inch thick, 
and pivoted on a substantial, well-fitted screw, with en- 
larged body part, as described for hinge screw, and for the 
same purpose ; i. e., that it may stay put when secured to 
place. 

" The sprew hole for any ordinary sized bullet should 
not exceed one-tenth inch in diameter. The cut-off 
should project about one and a half inches beyond the 
mold head, and should swing far enough to one side to 
entirely uncover the base of the bullet. The shanks of the 
mold should be adapted to receive wooden handles, and with 
handles attached, for comfort in use, should measure about 
nine inches to hinge screw. 

" For melting the lead a small '• Ideal ' kettle should 
be used that will hold, when full, about twenty pounds ; 
for dipping from this, a small ' Ideal ' ladle, with round 
nozzle that will enter the counter sink or sprew hole of 
the cut-off. Heat the mold till it is near the melting 
temperature of lead, and when the lead in kettle is suffi- 



RELOADING AMMUNITION. 153 

ciently hot, dip from kettle with ladle. Apply mold to 
nozzle while in a horizontal position, then while still hold- 
ing mold in contact, quickly elevate ladle above mold, 
holding them in that position for a few seconds. This 
gives the full pressure of the lead in the ladle on the 
mold while it is cooling, and by this method as perfect a 
bullet can be cast as can be made by swaging. They can 
be cast at the average rate of 225 per hour. A gas stove 
is much the best means of melting the lead, as a more 
even temperature can be maintained ; but it is not diffi- 
cult to cast good bullets, using almost any kind of a coal 
fire. 

"The lead and molds should be kept at a tempera- 
ture that will require a few seconds, say five to ten, for the 
lead in the sprew hole to solidify after the ladle has been 
separated from the mold. This is the true test; and 
while this temperature is maintained, the bullets will be 
cast perfectly. The mold should be held over the kettle 
while casting, so that any lead spilled may fall into the 
main body. 

" The best method for lubricating grooved bullets is to 
mix beeswax and cylinder or other heavy oil, — one part 
oil to four beeswax. Procure a pair of ordinary ten-cent 
tweezers, file away the centre so they will grasp the bullet 
near the point and not slip off too readily. Dip the bul- 
lets to cover all the grooves, and set them on a board to 
cool. When cool, remove surplus lubricant by forcing 
bullets through a tube the size of a bullet. This is 
cheaply made by cutting off the head of a shell and sol- 
dering a tapering tin extension to the shell, say six inches 
long. Shove this tube on to the bullets as they stand on 
the board, and empty the tube as often as it fills with bul- 
lets. If the grooves are not too wide, — they should not 
be more than ^^-inoh. wide, say twelve to the inch, — this 



154 MODERN A MERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

method will give perfect lubrication. Another method 
about equally good is to set a quantity of bullets in a 
shallow pan, points up, then to pour melted lubricant 
among them till there is sufficient in the pan to cover all 




Fig. 101.— Ten shots by Mr. F. B. Crowninshield, at twenty yards, with a 
Wurfflein Pistol. Reduced from a bullseye 2 11-16 in. diameter. 



the grooves ; set aside till lubricant is sufficiently cooled, 
then use the tube as described above to remove surplus. 
Bullets so cast and lubricated will do very fine shooting 
either with clean or dirty barrel." 

Cartridges should not be exposed to the sun, and should 
be kept in a dry, cool place. 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD. 155 



CHAPTER XI. 

KEVOLVEH SHOOTING KECOKD IN AJVIERICA. 

When revolver shooting was introduced as an adjunct 
to rifle shooting, it was thought that the Standard American 
target for 200 yards rifle practice was proper for revolver 
shooting at a distance of twenty-five yards. A match 
was first announced at the annual meeting at Creedmoor, 
in 1886, in which there were three scores of forty-eight 
out of a possible fifty in five shots secured. There were 
three scores to count, or possible 150 points. The three 
highest scores in this match were 143, 140, 134, made by 
C. E. Gillette with a Colt .45 caUber army revolver and 
factory ammunition. There were five scores only of five 
shots each in which the shots were all inside of the nine- 
circle, which is 5y^Q*Q inches in diameter. A month later 
the Massachusetts Rifle Association announced a revolver 
match, in the annual fall meeting programme, under 
similar conditions, excepting the match called for five 
scores to count. As both matches were unlimited reentry 
matches, the best three scores of the four highest individ- 
uals are taken to compare with the results secured at 
Creedmoor. Four scores are selected because the person 
at the head of the list was a professional shot, and his 
skill at that time was considerably in advance of his 
competitors. 

The second, third, and fourth prize winners secured an 
aggregate of 142, 142, 141. 

The professional shot was Chevalier Paine, who on his 
sixth entry secured the possible of fifty in five shots and 
two scores of forty-nine, making 148 out of a possible 



156 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

150, or the fifteen shots (not consecutive) in a 5^^-^^ inch 
circle. This gentleman fired forty shots. Of this num- 
ber there were twenty-seven in the ten-circle, which is 




Fig. 102. — Mr. W. W. Bennett. Professional Pistol and Revolver Shot. 



3^^6_ inches in diameter. Soon after this meeting revolver 
shooting sprang into popularity, and it was shown by the 
shooting of the members of the Massachusetts Rifle Asso- 
ciation that, if revolver shooting was continued at twenty- 
five yards, the possible would be secured so frequently as 
to make the sport uninteresting. It is worthy of record 
that Mr. A. L. Brackett of that association made the 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD. 157 

following ten-shot score at twenty-five yards on the 
Standard American target : — 

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 10 = 98 

It was decided by this club to change the distance to 
fifty yards. 

Chevalier Ira Paine was the first individual known to 
fire 100 shots on the Standard target at this distance, which 
he did October 15, 1886, at Walnut Hill range, using a 
.44 caliber Russian model army revolver and factory am- 
munition made by Union Metallic Cartridge Co. 

The 100 shots were as follows : — 

1 778697689 9=76 

2 9 10 8 7 8 9 6 9 5 8 = 79 

3 9 9 7 8 7 9 7 6 10 6= 78 

4 9 5 8 6 7 9 8 10 10 10 = 82 

5 8 6 9 8 8 7 7 6 8 10 =77 

6 6 10 9 6 8 9 7 9 7 9 = 80 

7 9 9 10 8 6 9 7 10 9 7= 84 

8 9 6 9 9 6 10 10 8 7 9 = 82 

9 10 8 10 7 8 8 8 6 9 6= 80 

10 8 6 9 8 6 7 7 8 6 8= 73 

Total 791 

This score was considered remarkable at the time, but 
within six months several amateurs surpassed it, Mr. 
J. B. Fellows, W. C. Johnston, Jr., and A. L. Brackett 
recording April 25, 1887, in a 100-shot match, respectively 
837, 827, and 801 points. 

The first person who attempted to equal Chevalier 
Paine's record was Major C. C. Foster, who fired 100 
shots with a Colt .38 caliber double-action revolver on 
same target, at the same distance, at Walnut Hill, Novem- 
ber 20, 1886, he securing 782 points. The next attempt 
at raising the record ,was by Chevalier Paine, who shot 



158 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

against his own record at Walnut Hill with the same 
weapon he used in the first fifty-yard match. He shot on 
March 17, 1887, with the following result : — 



1 . . 


. . 9 


5 


7 


10 


10 


10 


9 


10 


9 


8 = 87 


2 . . 


. 7 


6 


6 


7 


6 


9 


9 


10 


7 


5=72 


3 . . 


.10 


9 


10 


7 


7 


7 


9 


10 


9 


7=85 


4 . . . 


. 10 


10 


9 


7 


9 


6 


7 


10 


9 


9 = 86 


5 . . 


. 10 


10 


6 


10 


10 


8 


10 


7 


10 


9=90 


6 . . 


. . 9 


8 


7 


8 


7 


9 


10 


6 


8 


7 = 79 


7 . . 


. 10 


8 


9 


9 


8 


10 


9 


8 


6 


9=86 


8 . . 


. . 10 


7 


8 


9 


10 


9 


10 


10 


6 


8=87 


9 . . 


. 8 


8 


8 


6 


10 


9 


7 


9 


10 


7=82 


10 . . 


. 10 


6 


9 


10 


9 


8 


7 


10 


9 


9 = 87 


To 


tal 






• 












. 841 



It will be observed that seventy of the 100 shots were 
bullseyes ; twenty-nine of the shots were tens, or in the 
SjSj?^ circle. The first ten shots broke all previous ten- 
shot records ; the fifth string counted ninety, and was at 
that time the best ten-shot record at fifty yards. The 
aggregate of 841 for the 100 shots was fifty points over 
his previous record, and fifty-nine points more than had 
ever been secured by any other individual in a 100 shot 
match. 

This 100-shot record was unbroken until November 4, 
1887 ; but pn May 21, 1887, Mr. W. W. Bennett broke 
the ten-shot fifty yards' record on the Standard American 
target, by recording the following score at Walnut Hill : — 

10 8 10 G 10 7 10 10 10 10=91 

On November 4, 1887, Mr. F. E. Bennett fired 100 
shots at fifty yards, with a Smith & Wesson Russian 
model, .44 caliber army revolver, with factory ammunition, 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD. 



159 



with the declared object of breaking the 100-shot record. 
He scored the following result : — 



1 . . 


. . 7 


8 


10 


10 


9 


7 


10 


7 


9 


10 = 87 


2 . . 


. 8 


9 


8 


9 


7 


10 


8 


6 


9 


9 = 83 


3 . . 


. 6 


10 


9 


8 


10 


10 


9 


8 


10 


7 = 87 


4 . . 


. 8 


9 


10 


9 


6 


10 


7 


10 


8 


8 = 85 


5 . . 


. 7 


9 


8 


8 


9 


5 


6 


9 


10 


7 = 78 


6 . . 


. 9 


10 


8 


7 


10 


10 


8 


10 


6 


9 = 87 


7 . . 


. 10 


9 


9 


8 


10 


10 


10 


7 


7 


9 = 89 


8 . . 


. 10 


9 


9 


7 


9 


9 


7 


10 


8 


7 = 85 


9 . . . 


. 9 


10 


7 


9 


10 


7 


8 


9 


7 


10=86 


10 . . 


. 10 


8 


9 


10 


8 


8 


10 


9 


9 


9 = 90 


To 


tal . 
















• 


. 857 



.This score was sixteen points higher than any pre- 
vious record. 

On November 14, 1887, a second match was shot by 
him, under similar conditions as the first, resulting as 
follows : — 



1 : . 


. . 7 


9 


10 


10 


9 


8 


10 


8 


8 


6 = 85 


2 . . 


. . 9 


9 


10 


10 


9 


10 


9 


10 


9 


7 = 92 




. . 10 


9 


10 


10 


8 


9 


10 


9 


9 


7 = 91 


4 . . 


. . 7 


10 


9 


8 


10 


8 


8 


8 


10 


7 = 85 


5 . . 


. 7 


9 


9 


10 


8 


10 


10 


10 


9 


9 = 91 


6 . . 


. 10 


8 


10 


8 


10 


7 


9 


10 


7 


9 = 88 


7 . . 


. . 7 


8 


8 


8 


9 


9 


7 


10 


8 


7 = 81 


8 . . . 


. 7 


9 


10 


5 


9 


8 


8 


9 


9 


9 = 83 


9 . . 


. 9 


9 


10 


10 


7 


10 


10 


10 


9 


8 = 92 


10 . . 


. 7 


10 


9 


9 


7 


10 


9 


10 


8 


10=89 


To 


tal . 












• 


• 




. 877 



This aggregate bemg twenty points higher than any pre- 
vious record. 

On November 25, 1887, Mr. F. E. Bennett fired 100 
shots, under similar conditions, the 10-shot aggregate 
being : — 

85 89 87 86 88 81 95 89=852 



160 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

He fell short of the 100-shot record, but broke the 10= 
shot record by the following score : — 



10 10 10 



9 10 9 10 9 9 = 95 



In November, 1887, a wager was made that Mr. F. E. 
Bennett would equal or surpass 841 points or better for 




Fig. 103. — Sixty consecutive shots at twenty-five yards, with a Smith & Wesson 
revolver, by Mr. F. B. Crowninshield. Target full size. Shot in gallery 
of Boston Athletic Club. 



six consecutive days, firing 100 shots a day at fifty yards, 
on the Standard American target, using factory ammu- 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD. 



161 



nition. He commenced his task December 5, and follow- 
ing is the score in detail : — 



December 5, 1887. 



1 . . . 


. 6 


10 


8 


10 


7 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10=91 


2 . . . 


. 8 


10 


9 


10 


7 


9 


9 


9 


10 


8=89 


3 . . . 


. 9 


10 


10 


6 


9 


10 


9 


10 


10 


10 = 93 


4 . . . 


. 10 


9 


9 


6 


10 


10 


10 


8 


9 


9=90 


5 . . 


. 8 


10 


7 


6 


9 


8 


9 


9 


10 


9=85 


6 . . 


. 8 


9 


9 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


8 = 94 


7 . . 


. 7 


9 


10 


10 


6 


9 


10 


8 


7 


6 = 82 


8 . . 


.10 


10 


9 


10 


7 


9 


8 


9 


7 


9 = 88 


9 . . 


. . 10 


10 


8 


8 


10 


9 


10 


10 


7 


8 = 90 


10 . . 


. . 9 


7 


7 


10 


10 


8 


8 


9 


9 


7=84 


To 


tal 


• 


• 


• 


• 


« 


• 


• 


• 


. 886 








December 6 


, 1887. 








1 . . 


. 5 


7 


10 


9 


10 


10 


10 


9 


9 


8 = 87 


2 . . 


. 8 


9 


10 


7 


6 


9 


10 


10 


10 


10=89 


3 . . 


. 8 


9 


10 


8 


10 


7 


8 


10 


10 


9 = 89 


4 . . 


. 8" 


9 


10 


7 


7 


8 


9 


9 


8 


10=85 


5 . . 


. 9 


10 


7 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


8=94 


6 . . 


. 9 


9 


10 


10 





7 


10 


9 


9 


10 = 83 


7 . . 


. 6 


7 


9 


10 


9 


9 


10 


9 


9 


6 = 84 


8 . . 


. 8 


9 


10 


9 


9 


10 


10 


8 


6 


8 = 87 


9 . . 


.10 


10 


8 


9 


10 


10 


10 


9 


8 


8 = 92 


10 . . 


. . 8 


6 


7 


8 


7 


9 


10 


8 


6 


8=77 



Total 



. 867 



December 7, 1887. 



1 . . 


. 10 


8 


9 





10 


6 


6 


9 


6 


7 = 71 


2 . . 


. 7 


8 


10 


8 


7 


8 


9 


8 


8 


10=83 


3 . . 


. 7 


9 


6 


7 


10 


7 


8 


8 


9 


7 = 78 


4 . . 


. 7 


9 


10 


7 


9 


10 


7 


9 


10 


6=84 


5 . . 


. 8 


8 


8 


9 


9 


8 


8 


10 


9 


9 = 86 


6 . . 


. 10 


7 


8 


10 


10 


10 


10 


9 


10 


10=94 


7 . . 


. 7 


9 


8 


10 


9 


8 


10 


6 


9 


10 = 86 


8 . . 


. 8 


7 


8 


7 


7 


10 


9 


9 


8 


7 = 80 


9 . . 


. 9 


9 


9 


9 


10 


8 


8 


10 


9 


9 =90 


10 . . 


. 8 


10 


8 


8 


7 


8 


8 


8 


8 


7 = 80 


To 


tal . 


. 




• 


• 






• 


« 


. 832 



162 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 









J 


Decern 


her 8 


, 1887. 








1 . . 


. . 8 


7 


10 


9 


8 


9 


7 


7 


10 


8=83 


2 . . 


. . 8 


7 


7 


9 


9 


8 


7 


10 


9 


8 = 82 


3 . . 


. . 10 


5 


9 


8 


5 


10 


8 


9 


8 


6 = 78 


4 . . 


. . 10 


6 


9 


10 


8 


9 


9 


9 


10 


10 = 90 


5 . . 


. . 8 


10 


10 


8 


10 


7 


10 


9 


9 


10=91 


6 . . 


. . 7 


6 


9 


9 


6 


10 


10 


10 


7 


10 = 84 


7 . . 


. . 7 


8 


7 


9 


8 


8 


8 


8 


7 


10=80 


8 . . 


. . 9 


7 


8 


10 


10 


10 


10 


6 


10 


10=90 


9 . . 


. . 9 


8 


9 


9 


7 


8 


9 


6 


9 


10 = 84 


10 . . 


. . 5 


6 


8 


10 


7 


6 


9 


10 


10 


10 = 81 


Total . 


• 


• 


• 


' 


• 


• 


• 


• 


. 843 






December 9. 


1887. 








1 . . 


. . 10 


7 


9 


9 


7 


10 


10 


8 


7 


8=85 


2 . . 


. . 7 


9 


8 


10 


7 


9 


10 


7 


9 


8 = 84 


3 . . 


. . 8 


8 


10 


9 


9 


10 


9 


8 


9 


10 = 90 


4 . . 


. . 7 


8 


10 


9 


9 


10 


10 


7 


10 


10=90 


5 . . 


. . 7 


8 


10 


8 


9 


9 


10 


9 


9 


8 = 87 


6 . . 


. . 10 


8 


9 


9 


9 


8 


8 


9 


10 


6=86 


7 . . 


. . 9 


10 


7 


9 


8 


10 


10 


9 


8 


8 = 88 


8 . . 


. . 10 


7 


10 


8 


9 


8 


8 


10 


8 


7 = 85 


9 . . 


. . 9 


8 


9 


9 


7 


9 


8 


8 


10 


10=87 


10 . . 


. . 7 


7 


9 


8 


10 


7 


10 


8 


10 


10=86 


Total . 


• 


• 


• 


• 


• 


' 


• 


• 


. 868 






Decemh 


er 10 


, 1887. 








1 . . 


. . 9 


8 


8 


9 


10 


10 


9 


9 


10 


8 = 90 


2 . . 


. . 7 


10 


7 


10 


8 


10 


10 


7 


9 


9 = 87 


3 . . 


. 10 


8 


9 


6 


9 


8 


7 


8 


8 


10 = 83 


4 . . 


. 10 


9 


10 


10 


9 


8 


10 


7 


10 


9 = 92 


5 . . 


. . 9 


9 


7 


10 


9 


9 


8 


10 


8 


8 = 87 


6 . . 


. . 10 


8 


10 


10 


10 


9 


7 


9 


9 


8 = 90 


7 . . 


. . 9 


10 


9 


10 


10 


7 


6 


9 


9 


8 = 87 


8 . . 


. . 9 


7 


10 


6 


10 


8 


10 


9 


8 


8 = 85 


9 . . 


. 9 


10 


6 


9 


10 


10 


10 


9 


10 


10 = 93 


10 . . 


. 6 


7 


9 


9 


9 


5 


8 


10 


10 


9 = 82 


To 


tal . 


















. 876 



The shooting of Mr. F. E. Bennett attracted the at- 
tention of Chevalier Paine, who, on December 9, fired 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD. 163 

100 shots, using a .38/44 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, 
this arm being the same as the .44 caliber in exterior, but 
is bored .38 caliber instead of .44. It has a straight shell, 
which extends entirely through the cylinder, coming flush 
with the end of cylinder. This was a special arm, made 
to order, and took specially prepared ammunition. Only 
the aggregate for 100 shots was preserved, which was 878 
points. This was one point higher than had previously 
been scored. 

On December 13 Chevalier Paine fired 190 shots with 
a Smith & Wesson .44 caliber revolver; but as 100-shot 
records were being compared, we take the first 100 shots 
which made the most favorable showing, and the 10-shot 
strings aggregated as follows : — 

90 92 87 89 89 85 92 85 85 91 = 882 

The next trial was on Thursday, December 15, using 
same revolver and ammunition, with the following re- 
sult : — 

92 89 89 89 86 88 85 85 83 85 = 871 

On December 17 he again faced the target, firing 210 
shots, the first and second 100 shots showing the following 
results : — 

94 96 90 85 87 86 81 92 88 87 = 886 
89 96 90 89 91 86 87 85 89 86 = 888 

The last 100-shot score of 888 being two points more 
than any previous record. The 10-shot record was also 
broken by two strings, which aggregated 96 points ; higher 
by one point than any previously known record. 

On December 22 Chevalier Paine fired 100 consecutive 
shots in the presence of the author, attempting to beat 
all previous records. The shooting was done at the 
Narragansett Gun Club grounds, at Providence, R. I. 



164 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

The revolver used was the Smith & Wesson Russian 
model .44 caliber, with factory ammunition. The score 
was as follows : — 



1 8 8 10 10 8 9 10 10 9 9=91 

2 9 9 7 10 9 9 7 7 10 10 = 87 

3 10 10 8 7 9 8 10 10 9 8 = 89 

4 10 9 8 10 10 10 9 10 7 9 = 92 

5 7 9 10 10 8 9 8 8 7 10 = 86 

6 10 7 8 9 10 10 10 9 10 9 = 92 

7 10 8 10 10 10 10 8 9 9 10=94 

8 8 9 10 10 10 7 10 9 10 10=93 

9 10 8 9 9 10 8 10 8 7 10 = 89 

10 10 8 8 9 10 10 9 8 9 01 = 91 



Total 904 

This aggregate raised the record sixteen points. 

It was generally supposed, when Chevalier Ira Paine 
secured an aggregate of 904 points on the Standard 
American target at fifty yards with a Smith & Wesson 
.44 caliber revolver, that the 100-shot record would not be 
disturbed for some time. Mr. W. W. Bennett repeatedly 
stated that he would never attempt to break his brother's 
record of 886 points, but would contest against the record 
of any other individual. When it was announced that 
Chevalier Paine had secured 904 points, Mr. W. W. Ben- 
nett quietly announced his intention of surpassing this 
record, earnestly went to work, and, in the presence of 
reliable witnesses, rolled up the unprecedented record of 
914 points, — ten points higher than had ever been pre- 
viously secured, and twice during the shooting equaled 
the best ten-shot record of ninety-six points. 

He shot at Walnut Hill range December 23, 1887, using 
a .44 caliber, single-action Smith & Wesson Russian model 
army revolver, loaded with factory ammunition of Union 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD. 



165 



Metallic Cartridge Co. make. The scores in detail are as 
follows : — 



1. 




2. 




3. 




4. 




5. 




6. 




7. 




8. 




9. 




10. 





Total 



9 10 10 10 10 8 9 10 10 10 = 

8 10 10 9 9 9 9 10 8 7 = 

8 9 10 10 9 9 10 8 9 10 = 

8 9 10 9 10 7 10 9 8 10 = 
10 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 = 

9 10 8 10 7 10 9 10 10 9 = 



10 10 9 7 10 



8 



10 



9 9 10 8 



9 10 10 9 10 7 8 = 



9 8 10 8 10 9 10 10 10 9 = 



9 10 999 10 98 = 



96 
90 
92 
90 
96 
92 
89 
86 
93 
90 



914 



It should here be recorded that Chevalier Paine on his 
first and second trial cleaned his revolver between every 
ten shots. Mr. F. E. Bennett in all of his shooting 
cleaned only between each ten shots. In the balance 
of Chevalier Paine's shooting he insisted on cleaning 
his revolver between every five or six shots ; and Mr. 
W. W. Bennett, after Chevalier Paine departed from the 
custom of cleaning between each ten shots, ran a brush 
through the inside of his barrel after every shot. There 
being no established rules for pistol and revolver shoot- 
ing in regard to cleaning, the results were accepted as 
records of performances with revolvers. It is also 
believed that Chevalier Paine's shooting, as well as Mr. 
W. W. Bennett's, and a portion of Mr. F. E. Bennett's 
shooting, was done with a trigger pull of less than 
three pounds. 

It will be seen that within a period of two years the 
possibilities of the revolver had been proved to be con- 
siderably beyond what the manufacturers of the arms, the 
makers of the ammunition, and the experts using the 
weapons supposed were its capabilities. 



166 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

The first lOO-shot record was 791 points, the last 914 
points, or an increase of 123 points. 

In order to carry the shooting at fifty yards from its 
commencement on the Standard American target to latest 




Fig. 104. — Mr. F. B. Crowninshield, Boston. Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. 



known record with no diversion, the author now finds it 
necessary to go back several months to chronicle an event 
worthy of note. 

It has been stated that the first revolver competition on 
the Standard American target was shot at twenty-five 
yards, and it has been shown that the distance was too 
short for that target. When the programme of the 1886 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORD, 167 

annual meeting at Creedmoor was being arranged, it was 
proposed to use the 200-yard Standard American target at 
thirty yards. The author urged the gentlemen in charge 
of this tournament to use the 100-yard rifle target at this 
distance, and by showing what had been accomplished on 
the 200-yard target, it convinced them that a 100-yard 
rifle target with a four-inch bullseye was better for re- 
volver or pistol shooting at thirty yards ; and that target 
and distance were selected for the revolver match at 
Creedmoor, in 1887, and many of the rifle and pistol clubs 
throughout the country arranged similar matches. The 
first record established on the thirty-yard pistol target 
was in a five-shot reentry match at the spring meeting 
of the Massachusetts Rifle Association, in June, 1887. 
The score of forty-three out of a possible fifty was made 
by Mr. W. W. Bennett, and was the highest score made 
during the three days' tournament. It was the opinion of 
a majority of revolver shooters at that time that this tar- 
get at thirty yards was a diflicult one to roll up a high 
score on, and that forty for five shots and eighty for ten 
shots was good shooting. At the annual meeting of the 
National Rifle Association at Creedmoor, in September, 
1887, the highest scores recorded at thirty yards were by 
Mr. J. T. B. Collins, who secured three aggregates of forty- 
four, and Mr. G. L. Garrigues, who also secured one score 
of forty-four, this being the highest aggregate secured in 
five shots at that time. 

At the fall meeting of the Massachusetts Rifle Associa- 
tion, Mr. F. E. Bennett won the first prize in the revolver 
competition, with the following scores : — 

9 10 9 9 7 = 44 

8 10 10 9 8 = 45 
10 8 7 10 10 =45 

9 9 9 8 10 = 45 
10 10 10 8 10 = 48 



168 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

This made forty-eight, the best five-shot record. 

The next event at this range was the recording of the 
following ten-shot score at Walnut Hill on October 12, 
1887, by Mr. F. E. Bennett : — 

10 9 10 9 8 8 10 . 7 10 9 = 90 

This being the best ten-shot record. This shooting was 
followed by Chevalier Ira Paine, who, in November, 1887, 
recorded the same aggregate at Walnut Hill. 

A week later Mr. F. E. Bennett recorded in a regular 
match at Walnut Hill an aggregate of 91. 

On April 4, 1888, Mr. F. E. Bennett made at the 
Massachusetts Rifle Gallery, Boston, at thirty yards. Stand- 
ard American target, 100 out of a possible 100, which is 
the best known score on record at that distance. This 
score was shot with a light charge and indoors, and is the 
only one known to be recorded in this volume made with 
any but factory charges and indoors. 

The great Paine-Bennett match was the outcome of a 
prolonged newspaper controversy between Mr. F. E. 
Bennett and Chevalier Ira Paine. The conditions of the 
match were as follows : — 

CONDITIONS OF THE MATCH. 

It is agreed by the undersigned to shoot a match with revolvers 
for one thousand dollars ($1000) a side, under the following 
conditions: 600 shots, 100 shots a day for six consecutive 
days, beginning Monday, June 4, 1888, and ending Saturday, 
June 9, 1888, at a distance of fifty measured yards, on the Stand- 
ard American 200-yard rifle target. Revolvers to be the Smith & 
Wesson .44 caliber, Russian model, with three-pound pull, and not 
over six and one-half inch barrel ; ammunition to be factory made, 
in unbroken boxes, of any of the following companies: United 
States Cartridge Company, Union Metallic Cartridge Company, or 
the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The match to be shot 
at Springfield, Mass. All conditions of the match not herein 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORDS. 169 

specified to be governed by the shooting rules of the National Rifle 
Shooting Association. Each contestant to choose a judge, these 
two choosing a referee. If the referee's decision is disputed, the 
secretary of the National Rifle Association of America shall make 
a decision which shall be final. In addition to the stakes, the 
match to be for the championship of America. Two hundred and 
fifty dollars a side is hereby deposited with the Boston Herald, 
which is agreed upon as stakeholder. The balance of |750 a side 
shall be placed with the stakeholder on or before Monday, May 
28; but it is understood that $250 each, in addition to the amount 
now on deposit, shall be deposited on or before Saturday, April 21, 
1888. The match shall be play or pay; that is, either party fail- 
ing to observe any of the conditions herein agreed to shall forfeit 
all money deposited, and the stakeholder is hereby authorized to 
pay over the same to the contracting party who fulfils the agree- 
ment. 

(Signed) Chevalier Ira Paine. 
Fred E. Bennett. 



RESULT OF the MATCH. 



June 4, 1888, Springfield, Mass. 
June 5, 1888, Springfield, Mass. 
June 6, 1888, Springfield, Mass. 
June 7, 1888, Providence ,^R. I. 
June 8, 1888, Providence, R. I. 
June 9, 1888, Providence, R. I. 



Paine. 


Bennett 


867 - 


837 


879 


887 


- 860 


866 


872 


879 


Withdrew 


878 


Withdrew 


746 


3,478 


5,093 



It will be noticed in the above that Paine withdrew on 
the fifth day of the contest. He made a protest, and, 
according to the conditions of the match, was referred to 
the National Rifle Association of America, which decided 
against the protest, and the match was given to F. E. 
Bennett, who with it received the championship of America, 
which he holds at the present time. 



170 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Some of the shooting in practice before the match at 
Walnut Hill, in 100-shot series, was undoubtedly the 




r^^^-^S 



Fig. 105. — Mr. F. E. Bennett. Winner of the Revolver Championship of America. 



i 



finest ever done in the world with a revolver, and four of 
the 100-shot series witnessed by the writer are given, 
believing that they will long stand unequaled. 

This shooting was done under favorable conditions; 
that is, a perfect revolver was used, which was correctly 
sighted, and had a fine trigger pull ; but full charge 
factory ammunition was shot. 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORDS. 171 

Score of Mr. F. E. Bennett, shot in practice at Walnut 
Hill : — 



9 


9 


10 


9 


9 


9 


10 


8 


9 


9 =91 


10 


10 


9 


10 


8 


7 


10 


10 


7 


10 = 91 


8 


8 


8 


10 


8 


9 


10 


8 


10 


8 =87 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


7 


10 


10 


9 


9 =95 


9 


10 


10 


10 


9 


8 


8 


7 


7 


9 =87 


9 


9 


10 


10 


8 


7 


10 


10 


9 


10 =92 


8 


9 


9 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 =96 


8 


9 


9 


10 


10 


8 


10 


8 


10 


8 =90 


9 


9 


9 


9 


10 


9 


10 


8 


10 


8 = 91 


10 


7 


7 


10 


9 


6 


10 


10 


8 


10 =87 

— 907 


9 


8 


10 


7 


8 


10 


8 


9 


9 


10 =88 


9 


10 


8 


9 


9 


9 


10 


9 


10 


8 = 91 


9 


9 


10 


7 


10 


10 


8 


10 


8 


8 = 89 


9 


9 


10 


9 


10 


8 


8 


10 


10 


7 = 90 


10 


7 


9 


9 


8 


10 


8 


9 


8 


9 =87 


9 


10 


10 


10 


9 


10 


10 


9 


10 


10 = 97 


10 


8 


10 


8 


8 


10 


9 


6 


10 


8 =87 


10 


9 


10 


9 


8 


9 


10 


9 


10 


9 = 93 


10 


9 


10 


10 


10 


9 


10 


10 


10 


10 =98 


9 


9 


8 


8 


8 


10 


9 


8 


10 


10 =89 

— 909 


9 


10 


10 


9 


7 


10 


10 


10 


9 


9 = 93 


8 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


10 


7 


8 


9 =92 


10 


10 


8 


7 


7 


9 


10 


9 


10 


10 =90 


10 


8 


9 


10 


10 


7 


8 


9 


9 


10 = 90 


10 


8 


9 


10 


9 


8 


9 


10 


10 


10 =93 


9 


10 


9 


8 


9 


9 


10 


10 


9 


10 =93 


10 


8 


9 


10 


10 


7 


10 


10 


10 


10 = 94 


8 


9 


9 


8 


10 


10 


9 


7 


8 


10 = 88 


9 


10 


9 


9 


10 


10 


6 


9 


9 


9 =90 


10 


9 


10 


10 


10 


7 


10 


9 


10 


7 =92 

_ 915 


7 


9 


10 


10 


9 


9 


9 


10 


10 


8 = 91 


10 


9 


7 


10 


10 


8 


7 


10 


10 


9 = 90 


9 


10 


8 


9 


7 


8 


9 


8 


9 


9 = 86 


9 


9 


9 


9 


9 


10 


10 


9 


8 


10 = 92 


10 


10 


10 


10 


9 


9 


9 


9 


10 


10 =96 


8 


9 


10 


10 


8 


7 


9 


10 


9 


8 =88 


10 


10 


10 


8 


9 


8 


10 


10 


9 


10 =94 


10 


10 


7 


10 


9 


10 


9 


7 


9 


9 = 90 


8 


10 


8 


9 


9 


10 


10 


9 


10 


8 = 91 


8 


9 


10 


10 


8 


10 


10 


10 


9 


10 =94 

— 912 



IT 2 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

The popularity of revolver shooting developed great 
proficiency among many amateurs of this country. Con- 
spicuous among them were Massachusetts shooters and 
California shooters, and one Sergeant W. C. Johnston, Jr., 




Fig. 106. — Sergeant W. C. Johnston, Jr. Credited with the best known ten shot 
record with revolver at fifty yards. 



of the National Guard of Massachusetts, succeeded on 
July 7, 1888, in making a perfect score, 100 out of a 
possible 100, placing the ten shots of his score in the 
inner carton of the Standard American target, which is 
but 3y3_6_ inches in diameter. The shooting was done at 
fifty yards with a regulation revolver with fine sights. It 



REVOLVER SHOOTING RECORDS. 173 

is the first and only perfect score made in America. Not 
only did he accomplish this feat, but after the completion 
of the score he made another trial and recorded six more 
consecutive tens, thus making the greatest run of tens on 
record which has never since been equaled. The shoot- 
ing was duly witnessed by reliable persons, and Sergeant 
Johnston was considered a very fine shot both with a 
rifle and revolver. Having been a representative of the 
American military rifle team which visited England, his 
record was recognized by the press and the shooting 
fraternity. Sergeant . Johnston himself admitted that he 
was holding well, but believes that there was a certain 
amount of good fortune which accompanied his skill. 

The revolvers used in the great Paine-Bennett match 
were the regulation army revolvers of .44 caliber, but 
they had fine sights aflixed to them. 

As the match created a great deal of interest in re- 
volver shooting, various methods w^ere resorted to to make 
high scores. Revolver shooting also became popular in rifle 
galleries, and as a result, trigger pulls were reduced to a 
very light pull, even to the point of danger from acci- 
dental discharge. Shells were loaded with light charges, 
and a great many amateurs succeeded in recording high 
scores, shooting at various distances from ten yards upward. " 

This jockeying with revolvers had the effect of lessen- 
ing the popularity of the sport, and many ambitious 
amateurs posed before the country as makers of fine re- 
volver records, but they were made, in many instances, 
with what is termed by some " toy " charges. They 
were able to shoot such light charges with light trigger 
pulls and a deliberate aim, but were unable to shoot with 
anything like such accuracy the regular weapon with a 
three-pound trigger pull and a full charge. Such shooting 
is undoubtedly meritorious, but I have always considered 



174 MODERN AMERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

that all revolver shooting with reduced charges, fine sights, 
and deliberate aim, especially if the aim be unlimited as 
to time, should be classed as pistol shooting; and such 




Fig. 107. — Ten shots at fifty yards by Serg't. J. J. MouBtjoy. Shot with a WurfBein 
pistol at Philadelphia, Penn., Aug. 4, 1893. Reduced one quarter. 



views, I am glad to say, are approved by many intelligent 
sportsmen, and members of the volunteer forces in this 
country. 



SOME PERFORMANCES WITH THE PISTOL. 175 



CHAPTER XII. 

SOISIE PERFOKMANCES WITH THE PISTOL. 

There are three reasons which, combined, made pistol 
shooting popular in America. First, the inexpensiveness 
of the ammunition for the pistol, as compared with that 
for the revolver. Second, the ability to shoot more shots 
with accuracy, without cleaning, in a pistol, than can 
be done with a revolver. Third, better shooting can 
be done by the average person with a pistol than with 
a revolver. When these facts were known the pistol 
became the more popular arm. The revolver still holds 
its popularity ; but it is reserved for more practical shoot- 
ing, and the pistol is the chosen arm for recreation. 

On September 13, 1888, the writer made a careful test 
of .22 caliber pistols at Walnut Hill, testing the same from 
a rest ; and it was shown that a Stevens pistol with the 
Union Metallic Cartridge Company's long-rifle cartridge 
would shoot finer than any target in use among pistol 
shooters would measure. In a series of shots fired at fifty 
yards, the lateral deviation was If inches by one inch 
perpendicular. This so clearly demonstrated the great 
accuracy of the single-shot pistol that some of the expert 
marksmen were tempted to make a trial of the arm. 

On September 22, 1888, Mr. F. E. Bennett fired 100 
consecutive shots at Walnut Hill on the Standard Ameri- 
can target at fifty yards, scoring 906 points. There were 
ninety-seven bullseyes out of 100 shots. The three shots 
that were not bullseyes were in the seven-ring. 

In the same year at the fall meeting of the Massachu- 
setts Rifle Association, there was a match which called for 



176 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 108. — Mr. Henry S. Harris, Boston. Winner of Pistol Championship of 

Massachusetts. In a series of contests extending from June 16, 1892, to 

Dec. 30, 1893; Mr. Harris winning ten of the sixteen matches. 



SOME PERi'ORMANCES WITH THE PISTOL, 177 

live scores of five shots each. The winner of the first 
prize was Mr. W. W. Bennett, whose score aggregated 
239 points. In this match Mr. J. B. Fellows made a 
perfect score of five tens or fifty out of a possible fifty. 
Both he and Mr. Bennett used Stevens .22 caliber pistols 
with ten-inch barrels and the Union Metallic Cartridge 
Company's long-rifle cartridge. This may be said to be the 
introduction of pistol shooting in America at a range of 
fifty yards, and it also meant the revival of the sport of 
pistol shooting which had been intermittingly popular, 
but seldom before was the range greater than fifteen or 
twenty yards. 

I have kept a careful record of the performances out of 
doors since that time, with some few records of indoor 
shooting, but rather than declare the contents of this 
chapter a perfect record of pistol shooting in America, I 
choose to leave it on record as some of the best known 
performances upon which there is not a shadow of doubt 
as to their genuineness. 

lO-SHOT KECOKDS, AT 50 YARDS, ON STANDARD AMEKICAlSr TARGET. 

1889. 

Jan. 12, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington 96 95 

Nov. 10, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington 95 95 

Dec. 3, " " " "95 

1890. 

Feb. 15, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris 96 

Mar. 15, " " " J. B. Fellows 94 

" 26, " " " H.S.Harris 94 

April 6, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington 96 95 95 

May 12, " " O. E. Garmency 95 

" 12, " " H.Simpson 94 

June 2, " " E.J.Darlington 96 

" 14, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris 96 

July 5, Haverhill, Mass., H. E. Tuck 97 96 95 93 

" 5, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington *99 96 93 91 

* Higtiest known score with a pistol. Equaled by H. S. Harris 
December 31, 1890, and January 6, 1894. 



178 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



H. S.Harris 94 

Maj. C. W. Hinman. ..93 
H. S. Harris 94 

" " 94 

" " 93 

E. J. Darlington 95 

H. S. Harris 93 

E. J. Darlington 93 

H. S. Harris 94 

Col. H. Simpson 93 

H. S. Harris 96 

E. J. Darlington 96 95 

..94 94 93 92 91 90 

" " 93 

" " ... .95 95 
H. S. Harris 93 

" " 93 

E. J. Darlington 95 

" " 95 

" " 94 93 92 92 90 

H. S. Harris *99 

1891. 

E. J. Darlington 93 

Maj. C. W. Hinman... 94 
" " " ...93 

H. S. Harris 93 

" " 93 

E. J. Darlington 93 91 

" " 96 

" " .... 93 

Maj. C. W. Hinman.. 93 
" " " ..96 

B. Dimock 96 

H. Simpson 93 

E. J.Darlington 93 

H. S. Harris 94 

Maj. C. W. Hinman ..93 

H. S. Harris 93 

B. Dimock 94 

E. T. Travis 92 

E. J. Darlington 93 92 91 90 91 

" " 96 94 

** " 95 93 91 

" " 92 92 92 

*' " 92 92 91 

H. S. Harris... 95 

J. B. Fellows 93 

E. J. Darlington 92 91 90 90 

H. S. Harris 93 



* Best 10-sbot score with single-shot pistol on record, equaling score 
of E. J. Darlington, July 5, 1890. 



July 


26, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


(( 


26, 


(( (( 


u 


(( 


30, 


(( u 


;( 


Aug. 


2, 


U (( 


(( 


(( 


^, 


U (( 


(1 


u 


11, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


13, 


Walnut Hill, 


, Mass., 


Sept. 


10, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


24, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


Oct. 


4, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


11, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mas?., 


Nov. 


11, 
4, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


28, 


(c 


it 


(( 


10, 


(( 


u 


it 


27, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


n 


29, 


u u 


(( 


Dec. 


3, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


20, 


(( 


(( 


(( 


25, 


t( 


(C 


i( 


31, 


Walnut Hill, 


, Mass., 


Jan. 


10, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


31, 


Walnut Hill. 


, Mass., 


Feb. 


7, 


(( (( 


(( 


(( 


11, 


U (( 


(( 


u 


21, 


U (( 


u 


(C 


14, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


28, 


(.<. 


(( 


March 7, 


u 


(( 


u 


4, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


(( 


28, 


(( (( 


(; 


April 


3, 


Haverhill, Mass., 


u 


18, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


18, 


(( 


( ( 


u 


22, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


u 


25, 


U (( 


u 


May 
July 


2, 

18, 


Haverhill, Mass., 




23, 
25, 


Philadelphia, 
Wilmington, 


, Penn., 
Del., 


Aug. 


22, 
29, 




(I 


Sept. 


5, 
12, 




u 


(( 


19, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


Oct. 


3, 


u u 


C( 


{( 


3, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


(( 


10, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 



SOME PERFORMANCES WITH THE PISTOL. 179 



H. Simpson 97 

E. J. Darlington 93 

H. S. Harris 93 

E. J. Darlington 93 

H. S. Harris 94 

" " 94 

J. B. Fellows 93 

H. S. Harris 96 

J. B. Fellows 94 

E. J. Darlington 93 93 90 90 

H. S. Harris 94 

J. B. Fellows 93 

H. S. Harris 93 

" 93 

E. J. Darlington 94 

H. S. Harris 95 

E. J. Darlington 95 

E. E. Patridge 95 

Sumner Paine 95 

H. S. Harris 93 

B. Dimock 93 

E. E. Patridge 93 

" " 95 

1892. 

Sumner Paine 93 

E. E. Patridge 94 93 

H.S.Harris 94 

" " 93 93 

E. J. Darlington 96 

H. S. Harris 95 93 

E. E. Patridge 95 93 

H. S. Harris 93 

Sumner Paine 94 

E. E. Patridge 96 93 

Maj. C. C. Foster 93 

U 4 4 4 4 gg 

J. B. Fellows.... .....95 

H. S. Harris 95 93 93 

E. E. Patridge 94 

" 94 

H. S. Harris 94 

J. B. Fellows 93 

E. E. Patridge 94 94 

H. S. Harris 93 

E. J. Darlington 93 

J. B. Fellows 94 

E. E. Patridge 95 

F. B. Crowninshield...95 94 

H. S. Harris 94 94 

Sumner Paine 94 

" " 96 

F. B. Crowninshield. ..94 94 

H. S. Harris 96 94 

Sumner Paine 93 



Oct. 


n, 


Wilmington, 


Del., 


44 


n, 


4 4 




i 4 


4( 


n, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


44 


31, 


Wilming 


ton. 


Del., 


44 


28, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


44 


31, 


44 


44 


44 


(4 


31, 


44 


44 


44 


Nov. 


7, 


44 


44 


44 


4( 


14, 


44 


44 


44 


44 


14, 


Wilming 


ton. 


Del., 


4( 


21, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


44 


21, 


44 


ii 


44 


44 


23, 


44 


44 


(4 


(4 


23, 


44 


4 4 


44 


44 


27, 


Wilming 


ton, 


Del., 


Dec. 


5, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass. , 


44 


25, 


Wilming 


ton, 


Del., 


(4 


25, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


(4 


25, 


44 




44 


(4 


25, 


44 




44 


44 


25, 


44 




44 


44 


19, 


ii. 




44 


(4 


26, 


44 




44 


Jan. 


9, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


44 


16, 


44 


44 


44 


44 


30, 


44 


44 


44 


Feb. 


6, 


44 


44 


(4 


44 


6, 


Wilming 


ton. 


Del., 


(4 


13, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


44 


29, 


( 4 




44 


44 


20, 


44 




44 


44 


22, 


44 




44 


4 4 


22, 


44 




44 


44 


27, 


44 




44 


March 5, 


44 




44 


44 


12, 


44 




44 


44 


16, 


44 




i 4 


(4 


19, 


44 




44 


44 


26, 


44 




44 


44 


26, 


44 




44 


44 


26, 


44 




44 


(4 


30, 


44 




44 


44 


30, 


44 




44 


April 


2 


Wilmington 


Del., 


44 


13, 


Walnut Hill 


Mass., 


44 


7, 


44 




44 


44 


13, 


<4 




44 


44 


16, 


44 




44 


44 


13, 


44 




44 


<4 


23, 


44 




44 


44 


23, 


4( 




44 


44 


27, 


44 




44 


4{ 


27, 


44 




44 



180 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 




Fig. 109. — Score ninety-nine out of a possible hundred. Shot by Mr. Henry S. 

Harris, in Pistol Match of 1890, at Walnut Hill, Mass., with a Diamond 

Model Stevens Pistol and Union Metallic Cartridge Co.'s .22 caliber 

Long-Rifle Cartridges. Distance fifty yards; target full size. 

Highest score made during the year. 



SOME PERFORMANCES WITH THE PISTOL. 



181 



May 


28, 


Wilmington, 
Walnut Hill, 


Del., 

Mass., 


(( 


30, 


i( 




(( 


June 


4, 


(( 




(( 


(( 


4, 


(( 




(4 


(( 


9, 


(( 




(( 


t( 


11, 


(( 




U 


(( 


8, 


Philade 


ilphia 


, Penn., 




11, 
17, 
22, 


Wilmington, 
Philadelphia, 
Walnut Hill, 


Del., 
, Penn., 
Mass., 


July 


4, 

4, 








<( 


6, 


(( 




(( 


u 


9, 


(( 




il. 


(( 


9, 


u 




u 




9, 

2, 


Philadelphia 
Walnut Hill, 


, Penn., 
Mass., 


(( 


10, 


(( 


u 


u 


u 


16, 


u 


(( 


<( 


(( 


16, 


(( 


u 


u 


(( 


16, 


Wilmin 


gton. 


Del., 


(( 


23, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


u 


30, 


Wilmin 


gton. 


Del., 


t( 


30, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


Aug. 


6, 
16, 


(( 
(( 






(( 


27, 


u 




u 


Sept. 


3, 
5, 








(( 


10, 


(( 




(( 


(( 


10, 


(( 




u 


(( 


15, 


Wilmin 


gton, 


Del., 


t( 


17, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


<t 


24, 


(t 




4( 


i( 


28, 


(( 




(( 


Oct. 


8, 


u 




U 


(( 


8, 


u 




U 


(( 


8, 


(( 




(( 


u 


12, 


u 




(( 


t( 


15, 


(( 




(( 


(t 


14, 


Wilmin 


gton, 


Del., 


u 


21, 


Walnut Hill, 


Mass., 


i( 


29, 


u 




u 


Nov. 


19, 


(( 




(( 


(( 


24, 


(( 




(( 


Dec. 


7, 


(( 




(( 


(( 


7, 


(( 




u 


i( 


10, 


u 




u 


t( 


17, 


it 




(( 


t4 


17, 


u 




u 


(t 


26, 
31, 


Wilmington, 
Walnut Hill, 


Del., 
Mass., 



E. J. Darlington 96 95 

F. B. Crowninshield. . . 94 
Maj. C. W. Hinman...94 
F. B. Crowninshield. . .96 

Sumner Paine 95 

H. S. Harris 93 

F. B. Crowninshield... 93 
H. J. Mehard 94 

E. J. Darlington 93 

H. J. Mehard 93 

H. S. Harris 95 

G. K. Kussell 95 

H.S.Harris 94 

" " 93 93 94 94 

G. R. Russell 94 

Dr. Louis Bell 93 93 

H. J. Mehard 96 

Dr. Louis Bell 95 94 

H. S. Harris 94 

F. B. Crowninshield. . . 95 95 

Dr. Louis Bell 94 94 

E. J. Darlington 93 

Dr. Louis Bell 95 

E. J. Darlington 95 

J. E. Kelly 93 

Dr. Louis Bell.. 94 93 

" " " 94 95 

" *' " 95 94 

" " " 95 94 

J. B. Fellows 95 

Dr. Louis Bell 95 

J. B. Fellows 93 

E. J. Darlington 94 93 

H. S. Harris 95 

" " 94 

" *' 97 93 

" " 95 

F. B. Crowninshield.. 93 93 

J. B. Fellows 93 

H. S. Harris 93 

Dr. Louis Bell 96 93 

E. J. Darlington 94 

F. B. Crowninshield... 93 

" " ...96 93 
H. S. Harris 93 

" " 94 

Maj. C. C. Foster 96 

H. S. Harris 93 93 94 

Maj. C. W. Hinman..93 

G. R. Russell 97 

J. B. Fellows 93 

E. J. Darlington 96 

H. S. Harris 95 94 



182 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



Jan. 


7, 


(( 


18, 


(( 


14, 


(( 


21, 


(( 


21, 


Feb. 


4, 


u 


4, 


u 


18, 


(( 


22, 


(( 


23, 


(( 


23, 


(( 


23, 


(( 


21, 


(( 


25, 


March 1, 


(( 


21, 


u 


15, 


(( 


18, 


u 


18, 


u 


18, 


(( 


18, 


(( 


18, 


u 


25, 


April 


9, 
12, 


u 


23, 


(( 


29, 


May, 

Li, 


20, 
24, 


(I 


30, 


June 


2, 


(( 


6, 


u 


10, 


4( 


n, 


(( 


24, 


U 


24, 


i( 


24, 


(( 


24, 


July 


4, 
5, 


u 


8, 


(( 


8, 


u 


15, 


(( 


20, 


(( 


22, 


(( 


29, 


(( 


29, 


Aug. 


4, 
5, 


t( 


5, 


t( 


9, 


u 


12, 


(( 


26, 



Walnut Hill, Mass., 



Wilmiugion, Del., 
Walnut Hill, Mass., 



San Francisco, Cal., 
Walnut Hill, Mass., 
Philadelphia, Pa., 
Walnut Hill, Mass., 



Haubstadt, Ind., 
Walnut Hill, Mass., 



Haubstadt, Ind., 
Springfield, Mass., 

Walnut Hill, Mass. , 
Springfield, Mass., 
Haverhill, Mass., 
Walnut Hill, Mass., 



Philadelphia, Penn., 
Walnut Hill, Mass., 

Springfield, Mass., 
Walnut Hill, Mass. , 
Wilmington, Del., 



1893. 

H. S. Harris 94 93 

J. B. Fellows 93 

H. S. Harris 96 

u u gg 

J. B. Fellows 93 

B. Dimock 93 

J. B. Fellows 93 

tt u gg 

H. S. Harris 94 

J. B. Fellows 94 93 

H. S. Harris 95 94 93 

Maj. C. W. Hinman....94 
H. S. Harris 94 

E. J. Darlington 93 

H. S. Harris 93 93 

J. B. Fellows 95 95 

H. S. Harris 94 93 93 

" 95 90 

J. B. Fellows 95 94 

Maj. C. W. Hinman...93 

Maj. C. C. Foster 93 

H. S. Harris 95 96 96 

" " 94 94 94 

F. O. Young 93 

H. S. Harris 94 94 

H. J. Mehard 95 

J. B. Fellows 94 

H. S. Harris 93 94 95 

" " 94 95 

" " 95 

Dr. Louis Bell 95 

G. C. Littlepage 93 

H. S. Harris 93 

Maj. C. W. Hinman...93 
H. S. Harris 94 

B. Dimock 93 

J. B. Fellows 93 

F. O. Young 93 

G. C. Littlepage 96 

C. S. Axtell 92 

J. Goodrich 93 

F. B. Crowninshield. . . 95 
Z. C.Talbot 91 

B. Dimock 93 95 98 

A. L. Brackett 91 

J. B. Fellows 92 

A. L. Brackett 91 

J. J. Mountjoy 94 

H. S. Harris 93 

A. L. Brackett 91 

C. S. Axtell 91 

Maj. C. W. Hinman...93 

E. J. Darlington 94 92 



SOME PERFORMANCES WITH TEE PISTOL. 183 

Sept. 4, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris 95 

" 6, Springfield, Mass., C. S. Axtell 92 91 

" 13, " " " " 94 

" 16, " " Z. C. Talbot 92 

" 20, " " C. S. Axtell 93 

" 30, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington 91 92 91 90 

" 30, Walnut Hill, Mass., Z. C. Talbot 93 

Oct. 7, " " " H. S. Harris 94 

" 7, " " " F. B. Crowninshield..93 

" 14, " " " H.S.Harris 96 

" 14, " " " C. F. A. Armstrong... 95 

" 20, " " " H.S.Harris 94 

" 20, " " " C. F. A. Armstrong... .92 

'« 21, " " " J. B. Fellows 94 

" 21, " " " H.S.Harris 94 

Nov. 4, " " " " " 95 

" 11, " " '* Maj. C. W. Hinman. . . 96 

" 11, " " " J. B. Fellows 95 93 

*' 11, " " " H.S.Harris 94 93 

" 11, " " " F. C. Pearl 9190 

" 18, " " " C. F. A. Armstrong.... 93 

" 18, " " " J. Hadley 93 

" 25, " " " H.S.Harris 94 

" 30, " " " " " 93 92 

Dec. 2, " " " " " 94 94 

" 2, " " " F. C. Pearl 93 

" 2, " " " J. Hadley 92 

" Springfield, Mass., C. S. Axtel *97 

" 23, Wabiut Hill, Mass. , H. S. Harris 95 

" 25, " " " " " 93 95 

" 30, *' " '* i^ u 94 95 



1894. 
Jan. 6, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris 99 

100 CONSECUTIVE SHOTS, AT 50 YARDS, ON STANDARD AMERICAN 
TARGET, SHOT FOR RECORD. 

1888. 

Nov. 3, Walnut Hill, Mass., A. L. Brackett, 853. 
Nov. 10, Walnut Hill, Mass., F. E. Bennett, 934, which was the best 
professional record at that time. 

1889. 
Jan. 21, Williamsport, Penn., N. A. Hughes, 821. 



* Date not known. 



1 84 MODERN AMERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 




y/ffire/if^-^,rgyf 



Fig. 110. — Mr. W. W. Bennett, Professional Revolver and Pistol Shot. 



SOME PERFORMANCES WITH TEE PISTOL. 1 85 

1890. 

May 19, Wilmington, Del.,E. J. Darlington, 889, 9-4 buUseyes out of 
100 shots. 

July 28, Castile, N. Y., W. E. Carlin, 913, run of 55 consecutive bulls- 
eyes. 

Sept. 5, Walnut Hill, Mass., F. E. Bennett, 929. 

Sept. 10, Walnut Hill, Mass., F. E. Bennett, 936, the best known 
record. 

1892. 

July, 7, Walnut Hill, Mass., Dr. Louis Bell, 901. 

1893. 
Oct. 13, Walnut Hill, Mass., C. F. A. Armstrong, 859. 




Fig. 111. — Ten consecutive shots at fifty yards, by Mr. F. B. Crowninshield, at 

Walnut Hill, Mass., June 4, 1892, with'a Stevens Gould Model Pistol, .22 

caliber; score 96. Target reduced to one quarter original size. 



BABBETH-FIELB TARGET. 

1889. 
Jan. 19, Troy, Kan., Dr. E. S. Dinsmore, 903. 

100-SHOT MATCHES, 50 YARDS, STANDARD AMERICAN TARGET. 

1890. 
May 5, Bellevue, Ky., Ben. Copeland, 879. 



5, " " Chas. Wellinger, 852. 

5, " " E. M. Brumbach, 824. 



186 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

50 CONSECUTIVE SHOTS, AT 50 YARDS, ON STANDARD AMERICAN 

TARGET. 

1888. 

Nov. 10, Walnut Hill, Mass., W. W. Bennett, 470, which is the best 
professional record. 
Nov. 24, Walnut Hill, Mass.,' J. B. Fellows, 456. 

1889. 

Feb. 27, Troy, Kan., Dr. R. S. Dinsmore, 458. 
March 23, Walnut Hill, Mass., F. E. Bennett, 464. 
March 16, Troy, Kan., Dr. R. S. Dinsmore, 451. 

March 25, Walnut Hill, Mass., J. B. Fellows, 455, 49 out of 50 shots 
bullseyes. 

May 7, Haverhill, Mass., H. E. Tuck, 447, including a run of 30 con- 
secutive bullseyes. 

May 13, Troy, Kan., Dr. R. S. Dinsmore, 463, 47 out of 50 shots 
bullseyes. 

1890. 
Jan. 12, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington, 454. 
Feb. 18, Bellevue, Ky., Ben. Copeland, 442. 
"18, " " E. M. Brumbach, 420. 

"18, " " Frank Speth, 412. 

" 22, Haverhill, Mass., H. E. Tuck, 453. 
" 22, " " B. Dimock, 448. 

May 3, " u .t u ^qq^ 

" 30, '' " " " 436. 

Aug. 28, Walnut Hill, Mass., F. E. Bennett, 452. 

1891. 
April 8, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris, 450. 

1892. 
Jan. 20, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris, 451. 
Feb. 20, 



20, 

" 20, 

" 22, 

" 22, 

Mar. 16, 

June 4, 

Sept. 4, 



455. 

E. E. Patridge, 449. 
Major C. C. Foster, 440. 
Sumner Paine, 461. 
E. E. Patridge, 453. 
H. S. Harris, 462. 
Sumner Paine, 462. 
" " , 459. 



MATCHES SHOT WITH PISTOL, AT 50 YARDS, ON STANDARD AMERICAN 

TARGET. 

1889. 

Jan. 25, Barnard, Mo., W. T. Whiteford vs. R. B. Power — Whiteford 
420, Power 381. 

Feb. 15, W. T. Whiteford and R. B. Power, vs. N. A. Hughes and C. S. 
Steuber— Whiteford 430, Power 377; total, 787. Hughes 407, Steuber 
388; total, 795. 

Feb. 21, W. T. Whiteford vs. G. I. Royce — Whiteford 417, Royce 41o. 

April 24, Gc. I. Royce vs. W. T. Whiteford — Royce 410, Whiteford 426. 

Aug. 5, telegraph match, H. E. Tuck, Haverhill, Mass., vs. Dr. R. S. 
Dinsmore, Troy, Kan. — Tuck 439, Dinsmore — . 



SOME PERFORMANCES WITH TEE PISTOL. 187 

Aug. 10, Coney Island, near Cincinnati, O., J. B, Copeland vs. J. B. 
Robertson, for championship of Kentucky — Copeland 428, Robertson 
419. 

Oct. 8, Wilmington, Del., E. J. Darlington 426, H. Simpson 425. 



30-SHOT KECOEDS, AT 50 YARDS, OlST STANDAED AMERICAN TARGET. 

1892. 

July 6, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris, 280. 
Dec. 7, " " " " " " 

1893. 

Jan. 18, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris, 265. 
Feb. 21, '' " " " 258. 

Mar. 12, San Francisco, Cal., Col. S. I. Kellogg, 270. 

" 15, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris, 276. 

i4 29, " " " " " 275. 

April 2, San Francisco, Cal., F. O. Young, 269. 
May 10, Walnut Hill, Mass., H. S. Harris, 272. 

" 20, " " " " " 282. 

" 30 " " " " " 277 

June 17', " " " " " 275'. 

Oct. 14, " " " " " 276. 

Dec. 2, " " " " " 277. 

U 3Q^ U U u u u 282. 

1892 and '93. 

Winners of the championship of Massachusetts. Conditions, 30 shots, 
at 50 yards, on Standard American target. 

1892. 

June 16, F. B. Crowninshield 266 

Oct. 29, H. S. Harris 269 

Dec. 3, Sumner Paine 259 

1893. 

Jan. 7, H. S. Harris 266 

Feb. 4, F. B. Crowninshield 260 

Mar. 4, H. S. Harris 262 

" 18, " " 272 

Aprill5, " " 272 

May 27, " " 268 

June 24, B. Dimock 264 

July 8, F. B. Crowninshield 267 

Oct. 7, H. S. Harris 265 

I" 28, " " 264 

Nov. 25, " " 267 

Dec. 9, J. T. Humphrey 251 

" 30, H. S. Harris 248 

Won by H. S. Harris, Dec. 30, 1893. 



188 MODERN AMERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

TOURNAMENT KECOKDS. 

1889. 
June 1, Spring Meeting of Massachusetts Eifle Association — Pistol 
Match, at 50 yards, 7 shots to a score, 5 scores to count, Standard 
American target, possible 350: — 

H. E. Tuck 1st — 330 Z. C. Talbot , .2d— 306 

1890. 
June 17, Spring Meeting of Massachusetts Eifle Association — Pistol 
Match, at 50 yards, 7 shots to a score, 5 scores to count. Standard 
American target, possible 350: — 

D.A.Allen 1st — 323 B. Dimock 2d — 321 

1892. 

June 16-18, Spring Meeting of Massachusetts Rifle Association — 
Pistol Match, at 50 yards, 7 shots to a score, 5 scores to count, Standard 
American target, possible 350: — 

E. E. Patridge 1st — 331 Sumner Paine 3d — 322 

F. B. Crowninshield.2d — 326 



SHOOTING AT LONG RANGE. 189 



CHAPTER XIII. 

PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING AT LONG RANGE. 

Pistol and revolver shooting has been almost wholly 
confined to short range, both in America and Europe. 
Occasional reports have reached this country of shooting 
in Austria to a distance of about 400 yards. This shooting 
was done with heavy single-shot pistols, weighing from 
three to five pounds, of about .40 caliber, fitted with sights 
capable of very fine adjustment, with set triggers and ap- 
pliances to aid in securing good results. 

To learn the capabilities of an American made single- 
shot pistol, the author purchased a pair of the Remingtons, 
with twelve-inch barrels, .32 caliber, and chambered for 
the cartridge made by the Winchester Repeating Arms 
Co., for the .32 caliber repeating rifle ; the charge being 
twenty grains of powder and 115 grains of lead. The 
sights fitted to these pistols were very crude, and not suit- 
able for the work attempted. With better sights, doubtless 
much finer results would be chronicled. The first attempt 
at long range shooting with these pistols was made by Mr. 
W. W. Bennett, at Walnut Hill. He shot on the fifty- 
yard Standard American revolver target, at a distance of 
seventy-five yards, scoring as follows : — 

8 10 5 10 9 10 9 9 8 7 = 85 

Falling back to one hundred yards and using the same 
target, he made the following scores : — 

5777 845987= 66 
10 555 10 85577= 67 



190 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

Nineteen of the twenty shots being in a circle of 19-j^-j^^^ 
inches. He then proceeded to the 200 yard firing point, 
where military marksmen were practicing, and several 
times scored in ten shots forty-two points out of fifty. 

Considerable difficulty was experienced in sighting on 
the eight-inch bullseye at a distance of 200 yards, and a 
trial was given on the second class target, which has the 
following dimensions : — 

Size of target, 6x6 feet. 
Bullseye, circular, 22 inches in diameter. 
Center, " 38 " ' " 

Inner, " 54 " " 

Outer, remainder of target. 

The first trial was at a distance of 150 yards, where the 
following scores were made : — • ' 

Six shots, possible thirty. 

555554 = 29 

200 yards. 

354555 = 27 

S50 yards. 

344355 = 24 

300 yards. 

252335= 20 

350 gards. 
553434 = 24 

All of the above shooting was done off-hand, with the 
right arm fully extended. 

It was generally believed among the expert pistol shots 
the author has met, that the modern American revolver 
could not be depended on much beyond seventy-five yards, 
and it was thought useless to try to accomplish good work 
beyond. 



SHOOTING AT LONG RANGE. 



191 



On October 27, 1887, Chevalier Paine devoted the entire 
day, in company with the writer in experimenting with 
the revolver at Walnut Hill. Among the numerous ex- 
periments tried was shooting with Smith & Wesson 




Fig. 112,— Mr. E. T. Travis. Revolver and Pistol Shot, Philadelphia, Penn. 



revolvers, at long range. It was decided to shoot on the 
second-class target, commencing at 125 yards and falling 
back until it was thought the limit of accuracy with the 
revolver was found. It was agreed that each one should 
take sighting-shots at the several distances until the target 



192 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

was hit, the first shot striliing the target and the following 
five to count. 

The result was as follows : — 

No 1. No. 2. 

125 yards. 

325455 = 24 245545 = 25 

150 yards. 
345555 = 27 445544 = 26 

SOO yards. 

522405 = 18 433333 = 20 

250 yards. 

345323 = 20 432400 = 13 

200 yards. 

450040 = 13 202024 = 10 



In some cases the first sighting shot struck the target. 
At 300 yards it took three shots from one party to find 
the target ; at all other times one or two shots were 
sufficient. The scores given above are not intended to 
show excellence in marksmanship, but to record the 
results obtained at the first trial by persons unacquainted 
with the range of the revolver and the sights. The 
ammunition used was a condemned lot sent to the range 
by mistake, but which, doubtless, was better than sup- 
posed to be. It had been loaded several years, and the 
lubricant was hard, and in many cases partially detached 
from the bullet. After the first score had been secured 
at the several distances. Chevalier Paine shot at 200 
yards, and secured twenty-nine out of a possible thirty, 
making five bullseyes and one center. 

Two weeks later, Mr. F. E. Bennett, with a .44 caliber 



SHOOTING AT LONG RANGE. l93 

Russian model Smith & Wesson revolver, shot over about 
the same distances, with the following results : — 

Sd class target. — 150 yards. 

555555 = 30 







300 yards. 






5 


2 


4 4 

S50 yards. 


5 


— 20 


3 


4 


5 4 3 

SOO yards. 





19 


5 


3 








— 8 



If the revolver is properly sighted, there is little doubt 
that good shooting with this arm can be done up to about 
300 yards, under favorable weather conditions. With a 
single-shot pistol it has been shown that good work can 
be done at 400 yards. The revolver being a more practi- 
cal weapon than the pistol, it is likely that the single-shot 
pistol will in future be confined almost wholly to indoor 
target practice, and the revolver will be used exclusively 
in many clubs who shoot their matches out of doors. It 
has been proven that the revolver is a powerful and 
accurate weapon from ten to 250 yards. The results of 
experiments which have been recorded in this chapter 
were made with the object of showing that a marksman 
or soldier with ordinary skill, ought to hit many times, 
with a shot from an army revolver, a standing object the 
size of a mounted cavalryman, from fifty to 250 yards off. 

As stated, the results given in this chapter were the 
first attempts with no previous knowledge of the range of 
the weapon, but a year later while Chevalier Paine was 
in England, he gave a similar exhibition at Wimbledon, 
and it was considered as worthy of record in the records 



1 94 mod:ern a m eric an pis tols and re vol vers, 

of the National Rifle Association of Great Britain. 
With the sights used on a Smith & Wesson .44 caliber 
Russian model revolver at thirty and fifty yards, one can 
shoot up to 250 yards without aiming off the target. 




Fig. 113. — Ten shots at fifty yards, by Mr. E. T. Travis, with a Wurfflein Pistol. 
Shot at Philadelphia, Penn., July 23, 1891. Target reduced one quarter. 



I do not consider the practice of pistol and revolver 
firing at long range of much practical value. Both of 
these arms are intended for short range work, and their 
short barrels give the projectile but little force as compared 
with bullets shot from rifle barrels. A bullet from a 
pistol or revolver has so little killing power when shot at 
a range of 200 yards, as to make it of little use. 



IMPRESSIONS FORMED B Y INVES TIG A TIONS. 195 



CHAPTER XIV. 

EVIPKES SIGNS FORMED BY INVESTIGATIONS. 

I HAVE endeavored to show in the preceding chapters 
that not many years ago an impression prevailed that 
pistols were extremely difficult to shoot accurately ; that 
revolvers did not possess much accuracy, and few, if any 
individuals, could shoot them with anything like accuracy, 
all of which has been shown to be incorrect. A revival 
of the sport of pistol and revolver shooting demonstrated 
both arms to be extremely accurate. But during the 
several years necessary to prove this, there seems to have 
been but one idea among those participating in these de- 
partments of shooting, which was accuracy. To such an 
extent has this been carried that several intelligent gentle- 
men, desiring to learn the extreme accuracy of pistols and 
revolvers, affixed to these arms fine sights, generally con- 
sisting of a rear peep sight and a pin-head or an aperture 
for the front sight. With such sights I tested, and 
saw shot, pistols, and revolvers from ten yards up to 500 
yards, careful data of such shooting being recorded. 
Within a year I received from Mr. W. E. Carlin a hand- 
some album containing the results of most elaborate 
experiments, by that gentleman and others, with various 
revolvers, to which were affixed Mogg telescope sights. The 
receipt of the results obtained by Mr. Carlin, Mr. Hubert 
Reynolds, and others, together with my own experiments, 
has enabled me to form, I believe, approximately correct 
impressions of the capabilities of these arms. 

The difference between the pistol and the revolver in 



196 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

point of accuracy and reliability is noticeable. With both 
there are occasional unaccountable shots, but this is far 
less frequent with the pistol than with the revolver. I 
have seen a pistol shoot many shots into a group one inch 




Fig. 114. — Mr. Harry J. Meliard, Philadelpliia. Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. 



in diameter at twenty yards ; into a 2|^-inch circle at fifty 
yards ; into a six-inch circle at 100 yards ; into a ten- 
inch circle at 200 yards ; into a thirty-inch circle at 300 
yards, beyond which distances there is no reliability. 
A revolver will often shoot on and in an inch circle at a 
distance of twenty yards. I have scores of such groups, 



IMPRESSIONS FORMED BY INVESTIGATIONS. 197 

shot with a .32-44 Smith & Wesson revolver with U. M. C. 
gallery ammunition. Among my collection are several 
groups which a circle one-half inch in diameter would 
touch and enclose them all at thirty yards. A modern 
American revolver of .44 caliber with perfect factory 
ammunition is capable of placing ten shots on and in 




Fig. 115. — Ten shots at fifty yards, by H. J. Mehard, at Philadelphia, Penn. 
Shot with a Wurfflein Pistol, April 25, 1893. Reduced one quarter. 

the ten circle on the Standard American target, S^W 
inches in diameter, at a distance of fifty yards. I have 
many groups which are inclosed in even smaller spaces, 
shot at a distance of fifty yards. At 100 yards a .44 caliber 
revolver is capable of shooting into an eight-inch circle, 
but these would be selected groups and unaccountable 
shots more frequent. I have groups of shots fired at 150 
yards with the ,44 caliber revolver and factory ammuni^ 



198 MODERN AMERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

tion, which could be placed on and in a circle twelve inches 
in diameter ; and groups of shots made at 200 yards on and 
in a circle sixteen inches in diameter. Beyond 200 yards 
a general idea of the accuracy of revolvers can be procured 
from the chapter devoted to pistol and revolver shooting 
at long range. At every yard the range of a pistol or a 
revolver is extended, the liability of unaccountable shots 
is increased, this unreliability being greater with the 
revolver. 

All the information relating to the accuracy of these 
arms is interesting and of some practical value. It shows 
such arms to be capable of accuracy when charged with 
correct ammunition, and therefore gives confidence to 
those using the weapons. 

Now that it has been demonstrated that the revolver 
is an accurate arm, it is proper that it should be separated 
from the pistol and assigned to its correct place. I con- 
sider the single-shot pistol the legitimate arm of target 
shooters. It is proper to make rules governing competi- 
tions where pistols are shot, so they will develop the 
highest skill of the marksman and the arm. The single- 
shot pistol should be used as are match rifles in off-hand 
competitions ; but to allow the revolver to be shot under 
the same rules, and the results held up for the inspection 
of the world as examples of revolver shooting, I consider 
as wrong and deceptive. I have previously referred to the 
absurdity of using a revolver with lightly loaded charges, 
and allowing the marksman unlimited time to aim, often 
permitting the revolver to be sighted several times before 
it is discharged. In my opinion, that is one of the illegi- 
timate and absurd uses of the revolver. 

There is another improper use to which the revolver is 
put. It is the careless manipulation of the arm by twirl- 
ing it on the fingers ; it is said the manipulation of the 



IMPRESSIONS FORMED B Y INVES TIG A TIONS. 199 

arm in such a manner is sometimes followed by cowboys. 
I have seen a great many cowboys shoot revolvers, 
and I have seen some splendid shots among them, but 
they never did any good shooting by twirling the revolver 
around, snapping it in a careless manner, shooting it upside 
down, or any other of the absurd ways which stage shots 
sometimes attempt. I have seen several narrow escapes 
from death by attempts to handle a revolver in such a 
ridiculous manner, and have known of several deaths from 
such cause. 

I do not think shooting a revolver with a steady aim 
and unlimited time is proper practice for soldiers or those 
desiring to acquire a practical proficiency with the arm ; 
neither do I believe the handling the revolver in the care- 
less and absurd manner described a legitimate use of the 
arm. I favor shortening the distance in revolver shooting, 
and reducing the time allowed for shooting. I also believe 
that a moving target and a disappearing target should be 
employed, the former arranged so it will move across the 
line of fire at a certain speed, the other so that the target 
shall appear at stated intervals, remaining in sight a speci- 
fied time, during which one or more shots should be fired. 
Learn to shoot a revolver quickly, but not carelessly. 

Outdoor pistol practice in America is in advance of 
Europe, but with revolver practice in many sections of this 
country, we are behind England, solely because we are not 
practical, this being especially so among the volunteers. 

Colonel William L. Chase, inspector general of rifle 
practice of Massachusetts at the time of writing, has given 
intelligent study to the matter of revolver shooting in the 
National Guard, and his example in prescribing rules 
which oblige the volunteer to fire his six shots within a 
space of one minute is a step in the right direction, and an 
example worthy of imitation wherever revolver practice 



200 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

is participated in by the citizen soldiers. But revolver 
practice should call for more than shooting at a stationary 
target. A man who can place his five or six shots in an 
eight-inch bullseye at twenty yards in half or three quarters 




Fig. 116.— Target shot by Mr. Henry S. Harris, in Pistol Match for 1890, at Walnut 
Hill, with a Diamond Model Stevens Pistol ; distance fifty yards : target 
one fourth original size. 



of a minute, is far more proficient in my opinion, in the 
legitimate use of the revolver than he who scores ninety 
on the Standard American target at fifty yards, with a 
deliberate aim and unlimited time, fine sights, lightly 
loaded ammunition, and light trigger pull. 

The army officers of the United States, especially the 
cavalry officers, are responsible, it is thought, for the 
reduction in the caliber of revolvers for military use in 
this country ; many of them have made public their ideas 



IMPEESSIONS FORMED BY INVESTIGATIONS. 201 

in papers and in military journals, and express an opinion 
that the old .45 caliber army revolver was unnecessarily 
powerful, claiming that a revolver which would shoot 
accurately and powerfully at a distance of ten or twenty 
yards was the proper arm. I do not hesitate to record 
here my opinion, which will be left for years to come, that 
a great mistake has been made in the reduction of caliber 
in revolvers for military use by the United States govern- 
ment. I am of the opinion that the old army revolver 
was perhaps unnecessarily powerful, but by no means too 
large in bore. The principles applied to a rifle, it does not 
seem to me, can be embraced in a revolver. Undoubtedly 
the reduction in the caliber of military rifles is a wise 
change. Rifles are to be shot at long range, while a 
revolver is an arm of close quarters ; and when the latter 
is employed, it is desirable to have an arm which will 
disable the enemy at once. 1 would emphasize my belief 
that rifles should be smaller in bore, and revolvers as large 
as .45, if not larger. 

Viewing implements of war or defense from a humane 
standpoint, the claim that small bore rifles wound rather 
than kill, may be right. These sentiments, however, cannot 
with safety be applied to the revolver : with that weapon it 
is often to kill or be killed. The officers who chose a new 
revolver for the United States Army reported that the 
board had no means of knowing " whether these arms 
(those tested) have the necessary stopping power." In 
my opinion the most potent point was neglected. 

A revolver is utterly useless without stopping power. 
Verification of this is accessible to any one interested in 
the subject. Some army officers recognize this, but it 
would seem they are hi the minority. Lieutenant Eben 
Swift, of the Fifth United States Cavalry, presented some 



202 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

data on this subject in a paper printed in -the Journal of 
the United States Cavalry Association. He says : — 

"Major H. E. C. Kitchener, now a major-general, I believe, in 
the English army, in the year 1886 wrote a valuable article on the 
use of revolvers. He appears to have consulted a great number 
of officers who had experience in that savage warfare in which 
they had to deal with a fanatical enemy, whose only hope of 
heaven was in killing and being killed. There are no fiercer 
fighters on earth than these Afghans, Zulus, and Arabs, who, 
armed with hand weapons entirely, were able to run over well- 
disciplined troops armed with breech-loading rifles. The officers 
were earnest in declaring that toy pistols would not do for such 
service; that there must be no doubt of the ability of the weapon 
to drop an adversary in his tracks. Many would not trust the 
caliber .45, and favored the double-barreled pistol caliber .577 
and the four-barreled pistol caliber .476, on account of their stop- 
ping power. In the Afghan and Egyptian campaigns nearly all 
the officers of the Tenth Hussars armed themselves with these 
pistols instead of revolvers. Much was said in favor of smooth- 
bore barrels for weapons whose use is essentially at close quarters, 
and from which it is desired that a heavy shock to the object 
aimed at should be given. Others spoke in favor of buckshot 
cartridges, which give a terrible shock. Express bullets, such as 
are used in hunting large game, were suggested for revolvers 
which were called on to stop equally wild men. Increased 
stopping power was also given by cutting off the pointed end of 
the bullet." 

In 1879 Major Edin Baker reported : — 

" I saw Captain H. , of the Bengal Cavalry, empty five shots from 
his revolver into the back of a Ghazi, who was running amuck 
through camp, at less than five yards' range, without stopping him. 
I examined the man myself afterwards, and found the marks of 
all six bullets in his body. I consider the service revolver should 
throw a heavy ball of .5 inch to .55 inch diameter, and I am half 
inclined to believe a flat head to the bullet would be an advantage." 

The English army revolver at that time was .455 caliber, 

shooting a cartridge containing eighteen grains of powder 

and a 250 grain bullet. 



IMP RE SSI ONS FORMED BY IN VES TIG A TIONS. 203 

In contradistinction to the above, I would refer to the 
work of Captain George D. Wallace, of the Seventh United 
States Cavalry, during the Indian outbreak at Pine Ridge 
Agency in 1891. After the Wounded Knee fight, the 
body of Captain Wallace was found at the entrance of an 
Indian lodge, and there was every evidence that the officer 
had sold his life very dearly. Five Indian warriors lay 
dead around him, each of them with a single bullet wound. 
The captain had a six-chambered revolver in his hand 
empty, and it is therefore presumed that, before he was 
overpowered by the savages, he had a desperate fight, 
and emptied the revolver upon his adversaries, each shot 
having fatal effect. The revolver used by Captain Wal- 
lace was a Colt .45 caliber army pattern, shooting a car- 
tridge containing forty grains of powder and a 250 grain 
bullet. Only five chambers of the six in the revolver 
were loaded, as it was the custom of army officers to carry 
one chamber empty, resting the hammer against the empty 
chamber for safety. 

From correspondence and conversation with army offi- 
cers, I have formed the impression that the terrific recoil 
of the old army .45 caliber Colt revolver made it an 
object of dread to most officers and men. It would have 
been a wise move, in my opinion, to have reduced the 
charge slightly and retained the caliber, flattening the 
point of the bullet. Such is the opinion formed by several 
years' study of the revolver, carefully recording the effect 
of shooting people and animals with revolvers of various 
calibers and different charges. 

A perfect revolver should possess all the power that 
is possible without making the recoil unbearable to the 
shooter. 



204 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



CHAPTER XV. 

RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 

Massachusetts Rifle Association Rules for Pistol and 

Revolver Shooting. 

Revised January, 1894. 

In all matches, when not otherwise mentioned, either single-shot 
pistols or revolvers will be permitted upon equal conditions; but if 
matches call for the revolver, the single-shot pistol will not be admitted, 
unless specially mentioned. 

SPECIAL KULES. 

Pistols and revolvers allowed in competitions must conform to the 
following conditions : — 

A. — Army or navy revolver. 

B. — Any revolver. 

C. — Any pistol. 

A. — Army or Navy Revolvers must be such as have been adopted 
by any government for the armament of its army or navy, and must 
conform, in all respects of model, sights, and ammunition used, to 
the service revolver of such nation. 

B. — Any Revolver. — Revolvers of any caliber, maximum weight, 
three pounds; maximum length of bore, including cylinder, ten inches. 

C. — Single-Shot Pistols. — Any breech or muzzle loading pistol, 
maximum weight, three pounds ; maximum length of bore, ten inches. 

Trigger Pull. — In all matches, or in practice shooting, the minimum 
trigger pull shall be three pounds for revolvers, and two pounds for 
the single-shot pistols. 

Sights for any Pistols or Revolvers. — The front and rear sights must 
be open, and not more than ten inches apart; the notch of a rear 
sight, to be considered open, must be as wide at the top of the notch 
as at any part; no aperture or peep sights, nor any manner of covered 
sights, shall be permitted. Lateral sliding bars or wind gauge may be 
used on rear open sight, also any elevating front or rear open sight. 
The use of a notch for a front sight will not be permitted. Sights may 
be smoked or blackened in any desired manner. 

Ammunition. — If factory ammunition is called for, it shall be of 
any make, of any established manufacturer, generally procurable in 
stores, and brought to the shooting-point in unbroken boxes, with the 
label of the manufacturer intact. 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 205 

Cleaning. — In any match where both pistols and revolvers are 
allowed, competitors may clean their arms at will, provided such clean- 
ing does not delay the firing, which shall be at the rate of one shot 
per minute, when lime limit is required, or oftener during the firing of 
each score, except in case of accident. In such case the time may be 
extended, in the discretion of the executive officer. 

In matches confined to revolvers the cylinder must be fully charged, 
or a sufficient number of chambers charged to complete the score. 
Blowing into or cleaning the barrel in any way will not be permitted, 
except when the cylinder is completely discharged. 

Loading and Firing. — No arms shall be loaded except at the firing- 
point, the muzzle of piece being kept in the direction of the target till 
the arm is either discharged or unloaded. 

Misfires shall not count; but an accidental discharge shall, in every 
instance, be scored a shot. 

Position. — The position shall be as follows : Standing free from any 
other artificial support, the pistol or revolver held in one hand only, 
with the arm extended free from the body, and unsupported in any 
way. 

Targets. — The Standard American target, full size, having an eight- 
inch bull, shall be used in matches at fifty yards' distance. The same 
target reduced to one-half size, having a four-inch bull, in matches at 
thirty yards' distance. The same target reduced to one-quarter size, 
having a two-inch bull, in matches at twenty yards' distance. The 
target reduced, in the same proportion to distance, in matches of a lesser 
range. 

Marking and Scoring. — Unless otherwise specified, each competitor 
will have a separate target provided, and will fire his score throughout, 
when the target will be examined by the scorer and the score recorded. 

Value of Shots. — If a bullet touches a line the count of that line 
is given; shots on or within that line count the same. The eye alone 
shall determine the count. Placing a bullet or other articles in the shot 
hole is not permitted. 

Appeals. — In case of a challenge or of dissatisfaction in any way 
connected with the shooting, in matches or practice, being referred to 
the executive officer, he or his representative shall render a decision. 
Should his decision be unsatisfactory, an appeal may be made in writing 
to the executive committee; the decision of the majority of this com- 
mittee shall be final. 

To Avoid Dagger. — No unnecessary talking will be allowed to or 
by shooters while on the firing-point with loaded pistol. 



206 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 



Itules Governing Revolver Firing in TJ. S. Army. 

The following rules are prescribed for revolver firing in 
the United States Army, and are reprinted from ^' Firing 
Regulations for Small Arms for the United States Army," 
by Captain Stanhope E. Blunt, published by Charles 
Scribner's Sons, New York, by permission of the author 
and the publishers. 



KEYOLVER FIRING. 

DISMOUNTED PRACTICE. ^ 

831. All cavalry troops and all other soldiers armed with the revol- 
ver should be instructed in its use; the practice for the cavalry should 
also be conducted mounted. 

832. Owing to the unsteady support that the hand gives to the 
weapon, the methods of aiming previously prescribed for the rifle and 
carbine cannot be advantageously followed. This is especially true of 
the practice mounted, where the motion of the horse and the very 
limited time available for the delivery of the fire permit neither the 
steadiness nor deliberation so requisite for success with the other arms. 

833. The best results will then be obtained by following the method 
of snap shooting; for which the pistol should be held raised and then 
quickly projected at the mark and fired without pause or any effort to 
align it upon the object, the action being somewhat similar to that 
employed in throwing a missile from the hand and from the same raised 
position of the arm. 

834. The instruction will be commenced with the revolver not loaded, 
the men being taught the motions and the methods of delivering the 
blow in different directions. 

835. For this purpose, the men being formed in single rank with an 
interval of one pace between files, the instructor commands, 

1. Baise, 2. Pistol, 

when the pistol will be drawn from the holster and brought to the posi- 
tion prescribed in the Cavalry Drill Regulations. 

836. The pistols being in the position of raise pistol, the instructor 
commands, 

1. Squad, 2. Ready, 

at which the pistol will be cocked with the thumb of the right hand; 
this motion is greatly facilitated by giving the pistol a short quick jerk 
forward and downward, the weight of the barrel seconding the action of 
the thumb. The position of raise pistol is then resumed. 

837. Separate commands for aiming and firing will not be given, but 
the fire delivered to the front at the single command, 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 207 



Fire, 

when the soldier, looking with both eyes intently at the mark and not 
even glancing at the sights or the pistol, will lower the pistol smartly to 
the front, in the direction of the object, and fire without pause or any 
effort to align the sight upon the mark. The mark should be a black 
disk about the size of a target paster on the barrack wall, at the height 
of the soldier's head and about ten feet distant. 

838. The instructor will pay particular attention to the manner in 
which the soldier holds the pistol ; the clasp of the thumb and second 




Fig. 117. — Ten shots at fifty yards, \)j Mr. H. J. Mehard, of Philadelphia, Penn. 
Shot with a Wurfflein'pistol, Dec. 2, 1893. Score ninety-six. Reduced 

one quarter. 



and third fingers should be firm, the first finger being on the trigger and 
the little finger underneath the end of the handle. If the clasp is too 
high up on the handle, the muzzle will be elevated; if too low, the 
muzzle will be depressed. The clasp should not be so tight as to com- 
municate tremor to the pistol, yet sufficiently firm to sustain, when 
firing with ball cartridges, the force of the recoil. After the discharge 
the position of raise pistol will be resumed. 

839. These motions will at first be executed rather slowly, the 
instructor correcting the positions if necessary, and the motions quick- 
ened as the soldier acquires the habit of leveling or projecting instinct- 
ively the pistol in the same manner that the forefinger would be pointed 
at an object. 



208 MODERN AMERICAN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 

840. Fire will be delivered to the right and front by the commands, 

1. Beady, 2. Eight Oblique, 3. Fire. 

At the first command the pistol is cocked as before, at the second the 
head and eyes are turned toward the right forty-five degrees, and at the 
last command the pistol is leveled and fired in the direction in which 
the eyes are looking. The position of raise pistol is then resumed. 

841. In a similar manner the men will be instructed in firing to the 
left and front, to the right, to the left, and to the rear, substituting the 
commands Left Oblique, To the Eight, To the Left, To the 
Eight and Eear, To the Left and Eear, and To the Eear for 
the second command above. When firing to the left the pistol hand will 
be about opposite the left shoulder; when firing to the right and rear or 
left and rear the shoulders will be turned forty-five degrees to the right 
or left respectively; in firing to the rear they will also be turned forty- 
five degrees to the right; for the other firings they will be kept nearly 
square to the front, such slight variations being made, however, as may 
be necessary to obtain au easy and natural position. 

842. As soon as the soldier is familiar with the methods of deliver- 
ing a single shot he will be practiced in the methods of firing several 
shots; generally the number corresponding to the contents of the 
chamlDcr. For this practice the command Commence firing will be 
substituted for that of Fire as given in the preceding paragraphs. In 
executing these commands the pistol will be brought back after each 
shot to the position of raise pistol, when it will be cocked and the fol- 
lowing shot delivered. 

843. Instruction will then be given with blank cartridges, the troop 
being formed in echelon to the front at distances and intervals of five or 
ten yards, so that each man can fire in all directions without injury to 
the other men. 

844. For instruction in firing ball cartridges ranks will be broken, 
and the practice conducted with but one man at a time. The target 
will be that used for gallery practice at fifty feet (paragraph 148), and 
will for the first firing be five yards, to be afterward increased to ten 
yards from the soldier. The cartridge employed will contain ten or 
twelve grains of powder and a round ball. Practice will be held in 
firing in the different directions previously prescribed. 

845. When the soldier exhibits proficiency in the preceding practice, 
he will be advanced to firing with the regular service cartridge at the A 
target used for rifle and carbine firing on the range. For cavalry troops 
tbe course of instruction, which for all, both officers and enlisted men, 
will be conducted each year, will consist of the preliminary and regular 
or record practice ; the former comprising not less than five nor more 
than twenty shots at the distances ten, twenty-five, fifty, and seventy- 
five yards, firing to the front, the position being standing, off-hand, 
without rest or support of any nature for the pistol or pistol arm, and 
the latter two scores, of five shots each, at each of the distances twenty- 
five, fifty, and seventy-five yards. These firings may be preceded or 
supplemented by additional practice at the same or different distances 
in the discretion of the troop commander, but the distinctions and rules 
governing these classes of j)ractice as prescribed in paragraphs 204 to 
208, and paragraph 216 will always be observed. 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 209 



MOUNTED PRACTICE. 

846. The different steps of tlie instruction, when mounted, will be 
conducted according to the general plan outlined for the dismounted 
practice, the exercises for the recruit commencing as soon as he has 
become fairly proficient in the school of the trooper mounted. 

847. At a convenient part of the drill ground several A targets on 
temporary frames, or the silhouette target D, should be placed; they 
should be thirty or forty yards apart and faced in the same direction. 
The troop should be divided into as many squads as there are targets, 
and each squad formed opposite its target and about twenty yards from 
it. By the commands and means prescribed in the School of the 
Tkooper Mounted, the squads will be manoeuvred in front of their 
respective targets, circling to the right and left by squad and by trooper, 
the soldier (chambers being empty) practicing at first by command and 
then at will the motions of firing in different directions. The gaits 
employed will be first the walk and then the gallop. This practice will 
be continued, with the trooper using blank cartridges. 

848. When the soldier becomes accustomed to handling the pistol 
mounted and the horses used to the tiring, the practice will be continued 
upon the target range where the track, and targets five yards distant (the 
silhouette target "D " only being used), will be arranged, as nearly as 
the ground permits, as illustrated by the accompanying diagram: — 



r<- 

1 
1 


200-i ards- - 








^ 


t ^■^-' 








7~ 


~ ^ 1 


1 / 








m 


\ , 


1 / 


liiifiiifinrrr 
1 






•3 


\ 1 


if' 








o 










eo 




i 


o 






V 




1 


6C0RER 










\ 


O 


O 






/ 


\ 
\ 


MARKER 


MARKER 






N 










y 












y 














"~~-- 


-, YCOYards-T -^ 











— '' 




V t- — 


^ 


V 








TARGETS 











849. Before firing ball cartridges the squad will be manoeuvred in 
column of troopers on the track in front of the targets, each trooper as 
he passes each target going through the motions of firing, with empty 
chambers. A canter and afterward a full gallop will be taken in this 
exercise. 

850. In subsequent exercises when passing the targets the distance 
will be increased to twenty yards between troopers, provided the horses 
can be properly controlled and the gait increased to a gallop; the trot 
being taken upon entering the opposite long side until closed, the head 
of the closed column halting so as to allow the troopers to resume the 
increased gait at the proper moment. Blank cartridges will then be 
fired and this exercise continued until each trooper can fire five cartridges 
with deliberation and coolness in the time occupied in passing by the 
targets. 



210 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

851. For firing with ball cartridges the troop will be formed as illus- 
trated in the diagram. At the proper command each trooper will move 
out from the right at a walk, take up the trot and gallop, and at the 
latter gait move along the line of targets, delivering one shot at each. 
He will then resume the trot and take his place on the left of the troop. 
The succeeding trooper will follow at such an interval, depending upon 
the tractability of the horses, as the troop commander deems most 
advisable, but preferably not moving out until the hits made by the 
preceding trooper have been determined and the shot holes pasted, 

852. After the troopers become skilled in the use of the revolver, 
firing to the right, the practice will be conducted firing to the left; then 
placing the targets obliquely to the track, the firing will be to the right 
front, to the left front, and to the right rear in the order stated. In 
firing to the left the men move out by trooper from the left, and move 
around the track with the targets on the left hand. Each of these 
varieties of the practice will be preceded by the preliminary instruction 
specified in paragraph 849, 

853. For practicing firing directly to the front, four D targets will be 
arranged in line with intervals of five yards and the troop formed in 
front of the targets at a distance of 100 yards. At the proper command 
each trooper from the right in succession will advance on the targets, 
open fire when eighty yards from them, and, firing five shots between 
that point and the targets, pass between them and return to the troop. 

Before firing ball cartridges, this practice will be held with chambers 
empty, the trooper going through the motions of firing; a canter, and 
for the final practices a full gallop being maintained during the firing. 

854. For further practice in firing to the front the targets will be 
arranged with intervals of between five and ten yards, in the discretion of 
the troop commander, and the troopers, with corresponding intervals, 
advanced by fours upon them, firing as for the charge of the single 
trooper, passing between the targets and returning to the left of the 
troop. 

The number of targets will then be increased to correspond to the 
number of troopers in a platoon and the entire platoon advanced in a 
manner similar to that for the fours, firing and returning to the troop 
as above directed. 

The preliminary and later instruction in these two practices will be 
conducted as prescribed in the preceding paragraph. 

855. When the troopers, individually and collectively, have been 
carefully instructed in all the preceding practices, they will each be 
repeated with ball cartridges, and a careful record for final report made 
of the result, each hit being scored one. This record or regular mounted 
pistol practice then consists of the following course: with the targets 
arranged as in paragraph 848, one run (five shots) for each trooper firing 
in each of the prescribed directions; viz., to the right, left, right front, 
left front, and right rear, or twenty-five shots in all. 

With the targets arranged as in paragraph 853, one run (five shots ) 
for each trooper firing as there prescribed. 

The course of individual mounted firing thus comprises thirty shots; 
it will be followed by each officer and enlisted man. 

With the targets arranged as in paragraph 854, two runs (ten shots 
per man) for each set of fours, and two runs ( ten shots per man) by 
platoons. 

The course of collective firing thus comprises twenty shots, and the 
entire regular mounted course is therefore completed in fifty shots. 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 211 

which, with the thirty shots for the regular dismounted course, makes a 
grand total of eighty shots for the entire course. 

856. Instruction in revolver firing will be carried on during the 
regular practice season, care being exercised that during the first month 
it is held on those days not favorable for carbine firing. During the 
second month, when the carbine practice will generally be only the 
collective firing of the troop, the revolver practice will be more ener- 
getically pushed and the course completed by the close of the season. 

At the close of the first month and of the first and second weeks of 
the second month, troop commanders will report by letter to the inspec- 
tor of small arms practice of the department the number of times 
practice has been held and the progress made in the prescribed course, 
and at the close of the season will report on the proper form (Form30-f) 
the score of each officer and man in the dismounted practice, the number 
of hits made by him in each of the required individual mounted practices, 
and the number of hits in the collective practice, when firing by fours 
and by platoons. The per cent of possible score for the troop for all this 
firing will also be given. A summary of this final report, giving the 
per cent of each troop in revolver firing, will accompany the annual 
report (Form 30) of the department. 



The following General Orders No. 143 from head- 
quarters of the army, adjutant-general's office, Wash- 
ington, December IT, 1890, is supplementary to the 
preceding remarks : ^— 

The following modifications, prepared by Captain Stanhope E. Blunt, 
Ordnance Department, of the Firing Kegulations for Small Arms, 
having received the approval of the secretary of war, will govern in 
the future practice of the army : — 

1. Commissioned officers after completing the firing with rifle or 
carbine prescribed for the second and subsequent seasons, while per- 
mitted, will not be required to participate in the annual course of 
practice; if, however, they do practice and make scores sufficient for 
qualification as marksmen, they will be included in the figure of merit; 
but if they do not practice, or if their scores are below the required 
total, they will not be classified. 

2. The monthly company report of progress in target firing (Form 
30-c) and the orders required by paragraph 560 to be compiled monthly 
from it will hereafter be omitted. 

3. The division competitions provided for by paragraphs 591, 598, 
and 599 will be omitted. 

4. The alternates mentioned in paragraph 596 will not hereafter be 
added to department teams. 

5. The cavalry competitions provided for by paragraph 600 will be 
four in number; they will be conducted in the manner there prescribed, 
Ibut for prizes similar to those awarded at department competitions. 



212 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

6. In the revolver match provided for by paragraph 601, the dis- 
mounted portion will be as there prescribed; the mounted portion 
as there prescribed, with the following modifications: — 

a. Under 1st, page 231, the targets (target D) will be at ten yards 
instead of five yards from the track. 

6. Instead of the firing to the front (2d, page 231), the firing will 
be conducted as in 1st, page 231, but with the target (target D) first 
fired at tvrenty-five yards from the track, the second target twenty 
yards, the third target fifteen yards, the fourth target ten yards, and 
the last target five yards from the track, as illustrated in the ac- 
companying diagram. 



.200 yards 



/ 4!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!;iiiiii!iiiiii \ 



\ 
\ 



20T/cfs : 








/ 
/ 


__ _ " 




: : • o> 

'^ 5 = ^ 

? / -" 





When repeating the firing to the left, the positions of the targets will 
be changed so that again the first fired at shall be twenty-five yards 
from the track, the second twenty yards, and so on. The targets will 
be placed at an angle of forty-five degrees with the track, in order 
that the firing may be to the right front and left front, instead of 
directly to the right and left. 

c. Same as "a," except that the targets (target K) will be the sil- 
houette of a mounted soldier. In all cases, both in regular practice 
and in matches, where this target is used, hits, direct or ricochet, in 
that portion of the silhouette above a line drawn from the back of the 
horse to the point of junction of the trooper's arm and horse's neck, 
will be scored two; all other hits will be scored one. 

d. Same as "6," except that target K will be used instead of target 
D. 

In determining the order of merit in the revolver match, the dis- 
mounted firing, the mounted firing at the D targets, and the mounted 
firing at the K targets will be considered separately, and the final order 
decided by the mean of the percentages for tliese three classes. In 
case of ties the provisions of paragraph 651 will be applied, the firing 
at the K targets being for this purpose considered as at the longest 
distance and the dismounted firing at the shortest. The prizes will 
be as now provided by paragraph 602, 

If deemed expedient by the officer in cliarge of the competition, 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 213 

paragraph 601 may be furtlier modified by including in the first day 
of the match a portion of the mounted firing, provided that similar 
portions for each competitor are so included. 

7. Distinguished marksmen eligible under the provisions of paragraph 
605 for membership on the army teams will participate in the appro- 
priate department or cavalry competition in a manner similar to that 
now provided in paragraphs 603 and 604. The officers and enlisted 
men, five in number, highest on the resulting list at each department 
or cavalry competition will be assembled annually at some central 
point to compete for places respectively on the army rifle and army 
carbine teams of ten, in the manner and for the prizes now provided 
for army competitions. Alternates will not be selected for these army 
contests. 

8. Distinguished marksmen who have not gained places among the 
selected competitors for the army teams or who may no longer be 
eligible for those teams, will be assembled annually to the number of 
ten, firing with the rifle, and the same number with the carbine to com- 
pete for the prizes now provided in paragraph 605. The number of 
these marksmen to be thus selected at each department or cavalry com- 
petition, will be determined annually by the commanding general of 
the army. The competitions of these teams will be held at the same 
time and place as the army competitions. 

9. The "short quick jerk forward and downward" prescribed in 
paragraph 836 as an aid in cocking the revolver will be omitted and 
the pistol cocked by the thumb alone while at the position of raise 
pistol. 

10. In dismounted firing with the revolver, deliberate aim will be 
taken, or else the method of quick-aimed fire hereafter prescribed for 
mounted practice will be followed, in the discretion of the troop 
commander. 

11. The dismounted practice at seventy-five yards, required by para- 
graph 845, will be omitted, and the record practice at twenty-five 
yards and fifty yards limited to five shots at each range. 

12. In mounted practice the method of quick-aimed fire will be 
substituted for the snap shooting prescribed in paragraphs 833, 837, 
and 839. In this method of tiring, the soldier w^ill lower the pistol 
from the position of raise pistol, point or thrust it towards the ob- 
jective, and, looking along the barrel at the object, fire without delay 
as the alignment is caught, and without eft'ort to prolong or correct 
the aim. 

13. In the preliminary instruction in mounted firing, the targets 
(refer to diagram, paragraph 848) will be placed at ten yards as well 
as at five yards from the track, and also as prescribed in paragraph 6, 
"6," of this order, and the gaits of walk and trot as well as gallop 
observed when circling around the track. To this will be added similar 
instruction, using for targets the silhouette (target K) of a mounted 
soldier. 

14. Mounted firing to the front, both individual and collective, as 
prescribed by paragraphs 853 and 854, will be omitted. 

15. The following record or regular mounted pistol practice will be 
substituted for that prescribed by paragraph 855, each trooper during 
its prosecution riding his own horse : — 

a. With the targets (target D) arranged as in paragraph 848, one 
circling of the track at a walk for each trooper, firing five shots in each 



214 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

of the prescribed directions; viz., to the right, left, right front, left 
front, and right rear, or twenty-five shots in all. 

6. Similar to "a," except that the track will be traversed at a gallop; 
twenty-five shots. 

c. Similar to "&," except that the targets will be ten yards instead 
of five yards from the track ; twenty-five shots. 

d. Similar to " c," except that the targets (target K) shall be sil- 
houettes of a mounted soldier; twenty-five shots. 

e. With the targets (target D) arranged as directed in paragraph 6, 




Fig. 118. — Ten shots at twenty-five yards, by Sergt. J. J. Mountjov, with a 
Wurfflein Pistol. Shot at Philadelphia, Penn., May 22, 1892. Reduced 

one half. 



"6" of this order, one circling of the track, at a gallop, to the right 
and one to the left; ten shots. 

/. Similar to " e," except that the target K will be used instead of 
target D; ten shots. 

The entire record course, which will be followed by each officer and 
enlisted man, thus comprises ten shots dismounted and 120 shots 
mounted. 

16. Instruction in revolver firing will be held separately from that 
with the carbine, the season for that purpose being one month in 
duration, which will either precede or follow the practice season with 
the carbine, as the department commander may direct. 

17. As accuracy in revolver firing is greatly influenced by the tract- 
ability of the horses, every endeavor will be made to accustom them 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 215 

to the report of firearms. For this purpose it will be found advan- 
tageous to conduct the earlier instruction of the trooper, prescribed by 
paragraphs 843 and 844, in the corral or other convenient place near 
the horses, which, at first left free to move around, should, as they 
become more familiar with the noise and flash, be lariated near the 
firing party and gradually brought closer to the men ; also, during the 
dismounted practice with ball cartridges, the horses should always be 
in the near vicinity of the firing-point. 

If this training is carefully conducted, and if when commencing the 
mounted practice with blank cartridges, prescribed in paragraph 847, 
effort is made to do so without haste or excitement, the horses will 
be readily broken to mounted firing. 

18. No reports of revolver firing will hereafter be rendered except 
that (Form 30-f) now required by paragraph 856, at the close of the 
season. 

19. For each cavalryman, officer and enlisted man, revolver am- 
munition to the value of $2 will hereafter be annually allowed, and 
in addition for each troop of cavalry, 8,000 rounds of blank revolver 
ammunition, instead of the respective amounts now fixed by paragraphs 
875 and 881. 

20. The allowance of revolver ammunition now fi?:ed by paragraph 
884 is modified to read sixty ball and twenty blank cartridges. 

By command of Majob General, Schofield: 

J. C. KELTON, 

Adjutant General. 
Official : 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



216 MODERN A M ERIC AN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. 



REVOLVER PRACTICE IN THE U. S. NAVY. 

The following instructions from Gunnery Drill Book 
govern revolver practice in the U. S. Navy. 

MANUAL FOR COLT DOUBLE-ACTION NAVY REVOLVER. 



Orders. 



Caution. 


Preparation. 


Execution. 


1 


Pistol 


Draw! 1 
Fire! 2 

Load ! 3 
Pistol. 4 


2. *Round.. 

*Round.. 

3 


r Single aim...l 
( Single snap.. 
( Double aim . . 
( Double snap. J 
( Cartridges ) 

( Pack ) 

Return 


4 





1. ** Pistol, draw! " (One lime aud two motions.) At the order, 
*' Pistol," carry the right hand to the holster, loosen the flap catch by 
an outward and upward pull of the flap, pass the fingers under the grip, 
and loosen pistol in holster. 

" Draw! " Draw the pistol from the holster and carry it to the right 
shoulder, barrel vertical, hammer at height of shoulder, fingers clear of 
trigger and in rear of trigger guard, t 

2. " Single, aim, fire! " (One time and three motions.) ''Single," 
full cock and carry first finger to trigger. '• Aim," extend the right 
arm straight to the front, elbow very slightly bent, aud aim at the object 



* Note. — Cautionary order " Round," to be given onlj- when all cluimbers are 
to be emptied. 
Any number of shots may be designated as Three. Two, etc. 
Wlien but one shot is to be fired, no cautionary order is given. 

t Note.— When the cutlass is worn Avith the revolver, the holster will be on the 
right hip ; normally just in rear of the hip joint, but it may be moved in front of 
the hip, at order " Pistols, front," when the occupation of the men is such as to 
make this last mentioned position more desirable. 

When the cutlass is not worn, the holster will be on the left hip; normally in 
rear of the hip joint, but it may be moved to the front as before. 

In any of these four positions, the grip will be presented to the hand con- 
veniently, aud in any of them the left hand may be carried to the holster at the 
order, "Pistol," to steady it against the pull in drawing, in case it has become 
wet from rain, or from having been overboard, as in landing, etc. 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 217 

with foresight filling notch to top of the frame. " Fire . " Pull trigger 
and return to position, ''Pistol, draw." 

"Single, snap, fire!" As before, except that the object will be 
pointed at without running the eye over the sights. 

"Double, aim, fire! " As before, except that the piece will not be 
brought to full cock. 

" Double, snap, fire! " As before, except that the sights will not be 
used. 

When cautionary orders, as Round, Two, Three, etc., are given, all 
chambers will be emptied, or the designated number of shots delivered 
before coming to the position, " Pistol, draw."* 

3. Cartridges, load! " (One time and three motions. ) 

First motion. Carry the left hand in front of the body, left forearm 
pointing forty-five degrees to the right, and slightly above the horizontal, 
palm of the hand up. Drop the piece into it, latch up, cylinder in the 
palm, barrel between thumb and first finger, muzzle forty-five degrees to 
the left, and forty-five degrees below the horizontal. With thumb of 
right hand unlatch cylinder, and with second and third fingers of left 
hand turn out cylinder, pressing crane firmly back, first finder resting on 
barrel at joint of frame, and fourth finger on hammer. With thumb of 
left hand applied to ejector-rod head, slowly press rod home, and hold it 
in that position while any fired cartridge cases that have not fallen off 
are brushed aside by first finger of right hand. Allow thumb of left 
hand to slip from rod head and rest on the cylinder Carry right hand 
to cartridge box and loosen catch. f 

Second motion. With the thumb and first finger of the right hand 
take a cartridge from the box and place it in an empty chamber. So 
continue till all chambers are loaded. With right hand fasten cartridge 
box flap and grasp grip of pistol, finger clear of trigger. With thumb 
of left hand press cylinder home. Elevate muzzle forty-five degrees 
above the horizontal. Release thumb pressure, and with second and 
third fingers press back and upward on cylinder, thus rotating it and 
testing security of latching and freedom of rotation. 

Third motion. Resume position, "Pistol, draw." 

•• Pack, load! "t 



* Note.— In pointing or aiming, the grip should he firmly but lightly grasped by 
the last three fingers and the thumb, the first joint of this last pointing slightly 
down. The shape of the grip does not lend itself to extending the thumb, nor to 
dropping the fourth finger under the butt; nor are such positions used by the 
best pistol marksmen. The pull upon the trigger should be made with the second 
joint of the firsr finger, and the direction of the pull should be directly to the 
rear. Very few hands will be found to be so small that this cannot readily be done. 
The elbow should be slightly bent, so that the recoil will come upon the mu.scles, 
and not upon the braced bones of the arm. At the instant of pulling trigger, the 
grip of the hand and the muscles of the arm should be slightly tautened, to 
steady the piece against the pull and the " flip." 

t Note.— In " Cartridges, load," the muzzle should be depressed and the ejector 
worked slowly to avoid throwing out unfired cartridges when ejecting. In all 
cases, when loading, the muzzle should be depressed, or the cartridges may slip 
out before the cylinder is closed. 

X Note. — In " Pack, load," the muzzle should be elevated in ejecting, so that the 
empty cartridge cases will fall clear. 

AVhen ejecting under any circumstances, the cylinder must be held fully open 
— the crane must be pressed firmly back — to allow the head of the case nearest 
the latch to pass by. 

In withdrawing packs from cartridge box, seize ring with thumb and second 
finger, first finger on plug head, and turn pack slightly to free it in pack hole. 

In charging cylinder, do not tiirn pack or in any way attempt to guide cartridges. 



218 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVER:^. 

Same, except: 

First motion. Drop piece into left hand with the muzzle forty-five 
degrees above horizontal, and in ejecting press rod head home smartly; 
then drop muzzle to loading position in " Cartridges, load." 

Second motion. With thumb and second finger of right hand take a 
pack from the box, first finger on plug head. Place plug point in latch 
seat in ejector, lift first finger from plug head, and press on pack ring 
with thumb and second finger. Then proceed as in " Cartridges, load." 

4. "Return pistol!" (One time and two motions.) "Return!" 
Drop the muzzle and enter it in the holster. 

" Pistol I " Thrust it home, and fasten flap. 

. REMARKS 0:N^ THE REVOLVER MANUAL. 

The above manual is for right-hand work, but when charging the 
enemy's boarders, or when boarding, M'here the hands do not have to be 
used in climbing, the revolver will be used in the left hand, the cutlass 
in the right, as follows: — 

"Sword and pistol, draw, charge!" At the preparatory order, 
'• Sword and pistol," carry the right hand to cutlass hilt, and the left 
hand behind the back to revolver grip, and loosen the arms in scabbard 
and holster. 

At the order, "Draw," draw both cutlass and revolver, bringing the 
first to the position siqjport^ diagonally across the body, edge to the 
front, point opposite and near the left shoulder, and the second to 
the position " Left hand, aim," arm nearly extended to the front, elbow 
slightly bent, finger on the trigger. At the order, "Charge!" empty 
the chambers, on a lun, and close with the cutlass. Firing with the 
left hand to be al\\ays double snap, although the double pull of eleven 
pounds and the awkwardness due to using the left hand, will always 
make such firing wild, it will be found that, with very little practice, 
men can deliver the six shots, when closing on a run from forty yards to 
five yards, and get them home between the neck and knees as regards 
elevation, and with a dispersion laterally of ten feet. 

The empty revolver may be used to parry a cut at the head, leaving 
the cutlass free to deliver a thrust in three. 

In case of a check, or oiher cause, giving time to reload, the revolvers 
are reloaded at the order " Pack, load." 

At this order, drop the cutlass hilt, allowing the weapon to hang by 
the lanyard from the right wrist, change the revolver grip to the right 
hand, and proceed as per manual. When loaded, change revolver to 
left hand and resume position, "Sword and pistol, draw." 

When, for lack of more effective arms, it becomes necessary to use 
revolvers at long range, a considerable effect up to 120 yards can be 
gotten from them by using volleys delivered over the left arm as a rest, 
as follows: — « 

"Left arm rest, single aim, fire! " At the order, "Left arm rest,' 
grasp the right forearm near the elbow with the left hand, and make a 
half face to the rierlit. 



Enter i)lug tit in latch seat and press straight down on ring, relieving pressure of 
first linger on plug head at same time. ' 

To Chdn/e 7Vf<7,\s.— Flaee six cartridges in holes in pack charging block. En- 
close cartridge heads with jtack ring. Enter plug between cartridges through 
hole in ring. Press i)lug gently to iiush cartridge heads to seats, and then push 
l)lug home with ball of palm of hand. 



RULES FOR PISTOL AXB REVOLVER SHOOTING. 219 

" Single I " Full cock the piece. 

"Aim! " Drop the right hand into hollow of left arm, with joint 
hetween cylinder and barrel outside of elbow, raise the left arm, and aim 
with full sights. 

" Fire!" Pull the trigger, steadying the piece with grasp of left hand 
on right forearm. 

The revolver is sighted, full, for twenty yards, but the " flip " counter- 
balances the curve of trajectory up to 120 ^'■ards. Inside of twenty-five 
yards the shooting will be slightly high. 

The double pull, being heavy and "creepy," is not well' adapted to 
aimed fire. 

The single pull of from six to eiglit pounds may be lightened by 
slacking the strain screw, when nice target work is wanted. With the 
strain screw slackened off, the mainspring will still have sufficient 
resilience for firing on the single, but it will not be sure on the double 
pull. 

DISMOUNTING AND ASSEMBLING COLT DOUBLE- ACTION NAVY 

REVOLVER. 

Turn stock screw partly out, and press on screw to loosen half stocks 
and remove these last. 

Turn out cap screws, tap guard and frame with screw-driver handle to 
loosen cap, and remove cap. 

Slip out hand and spring. 

Pass wrench handle between frame and mainspring, wltli neck of 
handle at curve of frame under swell, width of handle forward of 
curve, and by twisting wrench cam spring down till stirrup can be 
thrown off. Slip mainspring out. 

Draw hammer off pin. 

With widest part of wrench liandle applied at curve of frame under 
swell, cam down rebound spring and slip rebound lever off pin. Draw 
trigger off pin. With large drift, drive out rebound spring pin and 
remove spring. 

Turn out crane-lock screw, and remove lock. 

Grasp crane at flat and draw it forward, thus compressing ejector 
spring. Turn cylinder till any flute indexes with crane joint on frame, 
and remove cylinder and crane. 

Press latch fully back, and, with small drift applied through hole in 
latch, push out latch-spring pin. Remove latch and spring. 

With large drift, drive out strut pin, and remove strut and spring 
from hammer. With small drift, push out stirrup pin. 

With large drift, turn off ejector rod head, and with ejector wrench, 
turn off ejector — left-hand thread — and remove cylinder. 

With crane-nut wrench, turn out crane nuts — left-hand thread — and 
remove ejector rod and spring. 

The barrel will not be unscrewed from the frame, nor pins driven out, 
other than those bef(H-e mentioned, unless to replace broken hammer 
pin. 

To assemble. — Proceed in the reverse order, except, 

1. After screwing on the ejector, until the guide pin indexes with its 
hole, with the set, lightly set out the end of the rod. 

When replacing a broken ejector rod, screw the ejector down to the 
shoulder, then back off till the guide pin indexes properly, and use the 
set as before. 



220 MODERN AMEBIC AX PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 

2. To assemble the latch in the frame. — Seat the latch with its 
spring in place. Then, with the large end of the large drift, compress 
the spring, pushing on the small end with the thumb of the left hand, 
and holding the latch in place with the forefinger of the same hand 
applied to the cylindrical part. 

With the right hand enter the latch-spring pin in the hole from the 
cap side of the frame, and push it home, working it over the last coil of 
the spring, and at the same time releasing, gradually, the pressure on 
the drift. 

3. See that the guide pin in cap is to rear of handspring before 
pushing cap forward to place. 

4. In assembling, place crane-lock screw head in slot in lock and 
enter both together; then tarn screw home. In this way the grasp of 
the lock on crane is insured. Be sure the crane lock enters its slot, 
which will be known by heads of lock and screw coming nearly flush 
with frame when set up. 

Ejector rod is of best Stubbs steel, untempered. It will spring some 
and may be set by abuse. In case rod is bent, place pistol on bench, 
right side down, and with cylinder turned out. Hold crane back with 
left hand and revolve cylinder with right, noting the throw out of rod 
head. Turn rod head till the throw is up, and tap it with screw-driver 
handle. Revolve again to test alignment. So proceed till rod is 
straightened. 

The screw-driver handle has been designed for use as a mallet in all 
work about the revolver. Hold it by the neck and deliver blow with 
butt end. Never hold by the blade and drive with side of handle. 

REMARKS ox MANIPULATION OF COLT DOUBLE-ACTION NAVY 

REVOLVER. 

When the hammer is rebounded, it is positively locked back, and can- 
not fall till the trigger be pulled or the mechanism broken, and therefore 
it is always safe as long as the finger is kept off the trigger. 

If the trigger be tried when the cylinder is turned out, or if under 
the same conditions the attempt to full cock the piece be made, the 
resistance of the safety nib of the trigger upon the crane end will be 
felt; and if now either trigger or hammer be forced, the nib will cut 
into the crane end and raise a burr which will disable the arm, or at 
least make the double pull heavy. The pistol cannot be fired until the 
cylinder is latched home, because only then can the primer of the car- 
tridge come into the plane of the hammer stroke; but by forcing the 
safety nib to shear into the slot in the crane end, the hammer may be 
made to rise and fall. A heavy double pull, then, inrlicates that the 
cylinder is not latched. 

Latching the cylinder must be insisted upon, and the men instructed 
to close it smartly with the thumb of the l^-ft hand, and to test the 
latching by pressing back with the fingers of the same hand, with an 
upward rolling push, which rotates the cylinder and gives assurance 
that it is clear and ready for work. 

If the cylinder be not latched, the pressure of the fingers will turn it 
out, and, if it had been closed smartly, the non-latching will indicate 
dirt or other obstruction between the flat of the crane and the frame, 
which must be brushed out by the finger. 

The rotating of the cylinder is allowed by this mechanism, which has 
no cylinder bolt, since the hand positively brings the chambers to the 



RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 221 

firing position in succession, and entirely overcomes the "overthrow" 
so objectionable in the single-acting revolvers. 

The good features of a freely rotating, no-bolt cylinder are partly 
counterbalanced by this minor defect; the cylinder must be fully loaded 
before the weapon is returned to the holster to insure a fire at the first 
pull of the trigger, since one of the unloaded chambers might be first 
brought to the firing position by the action of the mechanism. 

When the arms have been loaded for a long time, and carried in 
heavy raius, or in excessively dusty places, the latches should be sprung 
back a few times to test their condition, and the latching in and free 
rotation of the cylinder tested, as above. 

When first using the double pull, it is the tendency of a person accus- 
tomed to single-action pistols to release too slowly and to pull again 
before the trigger has had its full forward movement; and when attempt- 
ing to fire very quickly on the double pull, the novice will almost 
invariably make his pull so short — though not quick — that the hammer 
will not always be lifted. 

Men should be thoroughly practiced at the double pulls with the arm 
in either hand, and should be made to miderstand that if from any 
cause the double action fail, there is still the single to fall back on. 

The single pull is established at six to eight pounds, and the double at 
nine to eleven pounds. 

The sighting is for twenty yards, with front sight filling to the top of 
the notch. The same sighting holds good up to eighty yards, above 
which a little increase of elevation will be needed up to 120 yards. The 
revolvers will shoot slightly high inside of twenty yards. 

As with all revolvers, after long continued firing, the fouling should 
be wiped from the face of the cylinder to prevent clogging of the joint 
between cylinder and barrel. 

In handling this arm, one axiom should be borne in mind — no re- 
volver has yet been made which does not require a little intelligence in 
manipulating, if it is to be depended upon; and on drill, strict obedi- 
ence to these four rules should be insisted upon : — 

1. Never touch the hammer or trigger when the arm is not pointed up 
or at the object. 

2. Never touch the hammer or trigger when the cylinder is unlatched. 
o. After closing the cylinder, always test the latching and rotating. ' 
4. Never force the hammer or trigger. 

MIXTS TO ARMORERS OX COLT DOUBLE- ACTIOX XAVY REVOLVERS. 

Use only good sperm oil for lubricating; if other oil be used in clean- 
ing, see that it is carefully wiped off from all parts. 

Keep the latches free from rust under the thumb-piece. It will 
rarely be necessary to dismount the latch to do this. Spring it fully 
back, clean the spot on the frame normally covered by the thumb-piece, 
and oil well; then work the latch a few times. 

Do not dismount the crane from the cylinder unless very rusty, as 
unscrewing the ejector should be avoided. With the crane and cylinder 
dismounted from the frame, press the crane arm out of the cylinder by 
compressing the ejector spring, clean and oil. Proceed in like manner 
with ejector rod. If, after this, there is evidence of internal rust or 
dirt, it is time to turn off ejector and dismount entirely. 

In dismounting crane and cylinder from frame, slack, but do not turn 
out crane-lock screw. 



222 MODI EX AMERICAN PISTOLS AND BEVOLVERS. 

If double pull is heavy, examine end of crane for burrs thrown up by 
safety nib of trigger, when the arm has been abused. 

If burrs are found, remove them with smooth file. To test free 
working of trigger, hand and rebound lever, pull off at double pull; 
then let the trigger move forward slowly and pull back again before heel 
of trigger engages hammer strut. If a rub is felt, remove cap and 
examine the three parts mentioned. To test free working of hammer 
and strength of mainspring, hold trigger back and work hammer with 
thumb. 

Keep rebound lever clean and free from rust, especially where end of 
rebound spring bears. The stiain screws are set to just beat- on main- 
springs; if these last set by continual snapping on drill, give the strain 
screws a turn. It would be well to slack off strain screws clear of 
mainsprings — one turn back will do it — when the arms are to be 
snapped much on drill. 

In assembling the latch in the frame, a little practice will be necessary 
in order to enter the pin readily. Follow the directions closely. Use 
the handle of the screw driver — butt end — as a mallet in loosening 
cap, etc., and, in general, wherever it can be used as such. In the field, 
the wrench handle can be used as a hammer for the drifts. 

In using the wrench, as such, remember that the threads of the 
ejector and crane nut are both left handed, and that they are light, and 
can be leadily stripped. 



REVOLVER RULES IN THE T^IASSACHUSETTS MILITIA. 

The following rules goverjiing revolver practice in the 
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia were issued by Colonel 
George F. Hall, inspector general of rifle practice in 1894. 

KEVOLVER QUALIFICATIOXS. 

Officers and non-commissioned staff officers of organizations armed with 
the revolver, and any other officers and non-commissioned staff' officers 
owning the regulation army revolver, will qualify as follows: — 

First Class: two scores of twenty-eight out of a possible thirty, at 
fifiy yards. 

Second Class: two scores of twenty-five out of a possible thirty, at 
fifty yards. 

The target shall be that used for rifle shooting at 200 yards. Each 
score must be shot in one minute, or less, and must be approved by an 
officer. 

Position; arm extended, elbow free from body. Ammunition, any; 
niinimiun trigger pull, four pounds. Competitors furnish their own' 
am munition. 




This cut illustrates the Winchester, Model 1892, "Take-Down" Rifle. 
The Model 1886 rifle will soon be nnade in the same form. 






In this space we cannot mention, in detail, the 
many kinds of Arms, 

REPEATING RIFLES AND SHOT GUNS, 

SINGLE-SHOT RIFLES. AMMUNITIOM, PRIMERS, 

SHOT SHELLS, WADS, MEDAL-PATCHED BULLETS, ETC., 

made by us. We will, however, mail our illustrated 
catalogue to any part of the world, when asked. 

All our guns are proved and inspected, and all 
our sporting rifles are tested at target. 

Our Ammunition is tested in process of manu- 
facture and when finished, by a special corps of 
experts, and is surpassed by no other make. 

We are prepared to answer all correspondence 
promptly. Commendations are received with thanks. 
Complaints command instant attention. 



WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., 

NEW HAVEN, CONN., U. S. A. 

STORES : { ?,^" ^J^\'^''°' ^^^' 
\ New York, N. Y. 



SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS. 




IN CALIBERS FROM .32 TO .4<fc. 

Greatest Accuracy, Perfection of Form, 



Beauty of Finish, 



Unsurpassed Strength, 



and many other desirable points are conspicuous in the 
Smith 8c Wesson Revolver. 

^4 ^ ^k. 

ThOCO FdmnfIC ROVniVOrC are manufactured of the best material, 
IIIGaC raillUUO nClUllCIO in various calibers, with different 
length of barrel. Thej are suited for all purposes, possessing great 
strength, wearing qualities, and the finest finish. 

They are the chosen arm of the best professional and amateur revolver 
shots who have, during the past few years, surpassed all previous per- 
formances with revolvers. 

The .32-44 and .38-44y in the Russian Army Model frame, are the 
chosen arm of marksmen desiring a lighter charge and an almost imper- 
ceptible recoil. The Russian Model .44, .32-44 and .38-44 are fitted 
with rear elevating sights and wind-gauge when desired. 



The Officers of the National Guard of different States are 

rapidly equipping themselves with Smith & Wesson 

.44-cal. Army Revolvers. 



SMITH & WESSON, Springfield, Mass., U.S. A. 



RIFLE AND REVOLVER ^,^ 

AMMUNITION ... '*'*' 



TvlADK BY 



THE UNION METALLIC 
CARTRIDGE CO. 



We guarantee the following Arms when used with 
U. M. C. Ammunition : — Colt, Winchester^ 
Marlin, Bullard, Whitney, Smith & Wesson, 
Ballard, Stevens, Remington, and all others of 
first-class manufacture. 





Many of the Manufacturers of Fire Arms will 

guarantee their arms only when U. M. C. 

Ammunition is used. 




U.IVI.C. 



TRADE t f IWi «. m MARK 




Factory: Bridgeport, Conn., U. S. A. 



•^- IS 36 



1SQ3 ^ 



American Powder Mills, 

223 STATE St., Boston. 



Gunpowder Manufacturers 



Ii*OI« 



Field, Trkp, or Thrget. 



No F*RODucT Excels 

DEAD SHOT" or "RIFLE CARTRIDGE" 



SEND FOR IT. 



SHGOTIRG 
ISHIQG 




A WEEKLY JOURNAL 



DEVOTED TO 



SS.SO A YEAR. 



A Practical Paper 

FOR 

Practical Sportsmen. 

Complete Reports 
of trap shoots, and contrib- 
uted articles from the 
brightest writers in 
the country. 

Ask your dealer for it, or 

drop a postal for sample 

copyto SHOOTING AND 

Fl»iAXJ«Cr, New York, 

N.Y. 



FOR SPORTSMEN 
AND NATURALISTS. 



American AVild Flowers. By Prof. 
G. A. Goodale. 51 Fine colored 
plates, small 4to . . * . $7.50 

Ferns of North America. By Prof. 

D. C. Eatou. 81 Colored plates of all 

the species, 2 vols, small 4to net, $35.00 

JI^^Tlie price to be advanced as copies 
become scarcer. 

Sport; or, Fishing and Shooting. 

By A. C Gould, vs^ith 15 magnifi- 
cent colored plates, net . $50.00 

Modern American Rifles. By A. C. 

Gould. Fully illustrated. 12mo, 
cloth $2.00 

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS ON RECEIPT OF STAMP. 



BRADLEE WHIDDEN, 

18 Arch Street, - Boston, Mass. 



Colt's Revolvers 



OF BEST MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP. 



Adopted by the War and Navy Departments of the United States. 



^ 




.^- COLT'S ARMY 

^ MODEL 1892. 

388c4l CALIBRES. 



Sinsfle aii)d Pouble Action Revolvers 



I17 ^11 Czilibre^. 







COLT'S 
NEW POCKET 
32 CALIBRE, 






New Double-Action Pocket Revolver 

Jointless, Solid Frame, witli SimultaGeous Ejection. 



-•x-«^^»<»- 



COLT'S PATENT FIRE-ARMS HFG. CO. 



HARXKORD, COXW., XJ. S. A. 



<« 



POINTERS" CIVEH AWAT 





FREE 



To all who are lovers of the Rifle, Pistol, or Shotgun, or who take 
pleasure in hunting and desire to Economize by making their own 
Ammunition, we will send a copy of ♦♦ The Ideal Hand Book "of 

useful information to Shooters, FREE. This book will tell you what 
powder is best adapted to the different calibers, what shells to buy, and 
how to preserve them; how to make your own bullets, what alloy to use; 
how to use your molds to get the best results; how to prepare your ov/n 
ammunition that will be cheaper and more reliable than factory car- 
tridges. The book contains valuable tables giving the twists of the 
rifling in all arms as now made by the various arms manufacturers, also 
gives the names of all cartridges, their calibers, weight of powder, 
weight of bullets, their composition, and correct diameters. Table show- 
ing their measurements in thousandths of an inch, and what arms they 
can be used in ; table reducing Drachms to Grains, showing powder 
measurement for Rifles and Shot Guns with Nitro and Black Powders, 
also how many shells of all the various calibers can be loaded with one 
pound of powder, the same with shot; how to find out the twist in any 
rifle barrel, etc. It also contains a fully illustrated descriptive price list 
of all the Ideal Cartridge Reloading Tools, and much other useful 
information to Shooters. 



HE IS DEAD 



\ 



To his own interest who deals in Arms and Ammunition, or who shoots 
a Rifle, Pistol, or Shotgun, and has not the 

IDEAL HAND BOOK. 

It is a recognized authority on matters pertaining to Arms and Ammu- 
nition. No Denier or Shooter should be without it. It contains seventy 
pages of solid information gleaned through 25 Years' Experience. 
No charge for the Pointers it contains, still stamps for postage will not 
provoke us. We will send it to any part of the world on receipt of 
request. Be alive and send for one. Address, 

IDEAL MANUFACTURING CO., 

NEW HAVEN, CONN., U. S. A. 

N. B. We shall appreciate it if you mention this book when you write. 



mnfs, 

mcKfr/f/FifS, 

mrois. 




HE Pistol Record of America was established and 
has been held by Stevens Pistols ; nearly all the 
important scores have been made with these arms. 
Stevens Pistols are used by the best professional 
and amateur shots. Made in all calibers, chambered 
and rifled for the best cartridges, insuring the great- 
est known accuracy with power and safety. 



2i^ 




CCURATE. 



lORTABLE. 



.AFE. 




are used by Hunters, Anglers, Bicyclists, Tourists, Ex- 
plorers, and all desiring extreme accuracy with killing 
power, in the most compact space. 





SxEiZENS Rifles. 



The small bore rifles produced by this 
company have revolutionized rifle shooting 

Send for a catalogue and circular. 
Free to any part of the world. 



Address, THE J. STEVENS ARMS & TOOL CO., 

Chicopee Falls, Mass., U. S. A. 



Photo=Engravin^ 

♦ > ' 4 >^'C-» 

The engraved plates we make are engraved by means of photographic 
and chemical processes on either copper or zinc, and while in all printing 
qualities, such as smoothness of surface, sharpness, and depth of line, 
they are fully equal to wood cuts, they are in cases where an exact repro- 
duction of the original is desired, very much superior to them, and cost 
about one half the price of the same quality of work done on wood» 
The plates can be printed by any type printer on the common printing 
press, the same as any wood cut. 

HA 1 r^ ' l^r\TVTr^ This process is suitable for the finest class of 
ALF 1 ONE. , T^u w , ^'A 

work. The plates are engraved on solid 
copper, and are made direct from photographs or -wash drawings^ or any- 
thins; that -will photograph, and are much finer than anything engraved 
on wood. 

1 IMFh F^Mf^D a VllVr^ '^^ eff'ect appears the same as wood 
_"^ ^^ engraving, the drawings are copied 

by our artists from photographs or from the object itself, or reproduced 
direct from the printed copy sent us. The plates are made of zinc, and 
are suitable for all grades of printing, from the finest catalogue work to 
the coarsest newspaper work. Nearly all the cuts in this work were 
made by this process. 

Send stamp for specimen sheet. 



PHOTO ELECTROTYPE CO.. 

275 Washington Street, Boston. f 



Illustrated Guide Books to Winter 
Resorts in the West Indies. 

STARK'S GUIDES to the West Indies are admitted to be the best published. They 
are profusely illustrated in the highest style of the art with photo-prints and maps. 
The author thoroughly canvassed these islands for material for his guide books, and 
nothing is omitted or overlooked which the invalid, or traveler for pleasure, will wish 
to know. 

Stark's History and Guide to Bermuda Price, SI. 50 

" " " " " the Bahamas .... " JJ.OO 

" " " " " Barbados and the Caribbees Islands 2.00 

For sale by the Photo Electrotype Co., 275 Washington St., Boston ; Brentano Bros., Union 
Square, New York ; and at all of Cook's Ticket Agencies. 



THE WURFFLEIN 

Gallery /^ Target Pistol. 



The Wurfflein 5ingle=Shot 
Breech=Loading Target=Pistol 

is constructed on the Tip-Up Barrel System, 
the Quickest and Handiest System in use. 

It possesses the follozv in g points of merit over o,tkers : — 

Aiitoinal ic rebounding: lianinaer, whereby the trouble of half-cocking, 
the risk of breaking the firing pin, defacing the breech of barrel, or acci- 
dentally discharging the Pistol, is avoided, as the hammer is never resting on 
the firing pin, or at full cock, but always at safety. 

New, improved, patented, simple, strong, convenient, and easy manipu- 
lated top action, which is drawn back like a hammer to open the Pistol. It will 
be seen at a glance that this is the most complete, quickest, and handiest 
action in the market. 

Imjiroved hinge point, which is so constructed that it is impossible 
to pinch the hand in opening the Pistol, as is the case with other Tip-Up 
barrel Pistols. 

Patented, automatic, positive, strong, simple Shell Extractor, which 
returns to its place, giving a flat breech to more conveniently insert the 
cartridge. 

Convenient detachable barrel Hinge Pin, whereby the barrel can be de- 
tached in a few seconds without screw driver. 

This Pistol is unsurpassed for simplicity of construction, 
strength, and durability, every part being of the best material ; the 
barrel is of fine steel, carefully bored and rifled with the most 
improved machinery. 

Every Pistol being tested and sighted, and warranted to shoot 
equal to the best in the market. It is also-made to use barrels of different 
calibers of Rim or Center fire to same frame and action, thus giving 
one a number of different barrels to one stock. 

t or safety and speed in loading and clean- 
ing, effectiveness, and accuracy, it has no 
superior. It stands foremost as to symmet- 
rical model, style, and beauty of workmanship. 

Ask to see the " Wurflflein Pistol," and do 
not be put off by your dealer until you have seen it 
and become convinced of the above facts. 




It has no equal 






IM. WURFFLEIN, Patentee and Manufacturer, 

208. North Second St., Phiiadeipiiia, Penn., U. S. A. 



LYTV^AN SIGHTS 




Lyman's Patent Ivory 
Shot Gun Sights. 

A New System of Sighting 
Shot Guns. 




Lyman's Patent 
Wind-gauge Sight. 

PRICE, $5.00. 

The Windage mechanism of this 
sight is very simple. Used without 
the large disk, the principle of this 
sight is the same as the Combination 
sight. 

Lyman's Patent 
Combination Rear Sight. 

Price of this sight, $3.00. 

These sights more than double the 
value of a rifle, either for hunting or 
target shooting, for instantaneous 
aim can be taken with great ace uracj^ 




KEDUCKD CUT. 



LYMAN'S PATENT 



Ivory Bead Front Sight. 



Ivory Hunting Front Sight. 




These sights can be seen dis- 
tinctly against any object in 
the woods or in the bright 
sunlight. 



Price, $1.00. 



Price, 50 ets. 



Lyman's Patent Ivory Combination Front Sight. 

This is an excellent sight for "all around" 

use. 
The cuts show the open ivory and the 

shaded globe. 





PRICE, Sl.OO. 



Lyman's Patent 
Ivory Revolver Sight. 

This is a great improvement over 
any revolver sight now in use. It is 
adapted to all revolvers having their 
sights pinned in the rib above the 
barrel. price, so cents. 

Address, WM. LYMAN, Middlefield, Conn., U. S. A. 




Jw^^ 






,'; .'n 









^':-''v/":|':!^'j:-;''' 



■Jt'"';j' i:V-.' ;:'<', '•;'i '''^ : .r ','•:. 



.I'.l'.:,' . .^1^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




005 589 910 1 



